Discerning his will

On Sunday we focused on determining the specific way to express our desire to provide practical service in His name to someone in need. It started me thinking about some important issues about discerning His direction.

• He IS speaking and leading. John 14:26
• We are, too often, and too easily, not listening. Hebrews 3:6-19
• He does not answer all our questions,
• In some instances he wants us to use the intellect he gave us.
• In other instances he does not answer all our questions, but he answers the right questions. Matthew 10:19,20
• The first question is never “What will work to accomplish our goals?” The first question is always, “What are his goals?”
• The second question is never “How can we help his goals?” The second question is always “What obedience does he desire from us to accomplish his goals?”

So, the key is to ask the right questions, and listen with faith that he is speaking.

I have known for some time that his goals for us include that we touch the lives of a few in very deep and personal, but also practical and specific ways. His goal is to use us to mentor someone in life skills, relationships, caring, giving, and friendship. That means the current, urgent question is, “What obedience does He desire from us to accomplish that (his) goal?”