Direction and Guidance

The male ego is not noted for stopping and asking directions. WE were riding with some friends up in the mountains of Idaho. It was a paved road that evolved into a gravel road. Then gravel to dirt and dirt to a barely legible path. But the driver just knew he was going in the right direction to get over the mountain. Our suggestions to stop and ask for direction went unheeded. Finally… and you can guess the rest of the story.

The Bible is a clear road map for effective living and dying. Study the Bible for direction. The Psalmist tells us that “Your Word is a light to my feet and a lamp to my pathway.” For direction and guidance, search the Word!

Not only search the Word for guidance, but pray for it. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5

As we read the Word and pray for direction and guidance, Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The message is clear: immerse yourself in the Word so that God can change the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you – sometimes at the last minute. To stretch our faith and to increae our desire to seek Him, He often waits until that last moment to guide us in our decision-making.

“I don’t know what God wants me to do,” is an often heard cry for guidance. I am convinced that the all-powerful God is capable to let us know about a decision we are to make – which step to take. However, most of the time it seems He allows us to search all the facts and take responsibility in decision-making which increases our depth of maturation. We can legitimately pray, “God, I’ve searched all the angles I know to make a wise decision. I’ve studied the facts. I’ve sought counsel from wise folk and it seems like this certain way is the path I should take. If this is not of you or not what you want for me, close the door. Make it clear.”

If we don’t get a clear direction from reading the Word or prayer, then I’m convinced God wants us to do what we think is best. As mentioned in the last posting, our maturation process is enhanced as we learn about life through decision making.

Again, “let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you.”