the question is posed: "if we feel that God has directed us in one direction, is it "wrong" to go another direction??"...my reply is this: if we genuinely are asking God for direction and there is another path that we can take, is it wrong to take the other path? personally i don't think it can really be "wrong"... our template, our measuring stick, our guide, is always and ultimately, as a Christian, a follower of Christ, how am i representing Him? God does guide us, but He allows us to make our own decisions, this is our free will... and if we are seeking God's will, our free will is in alignment with God...
now for the equation...the equation x + y = God's will, is made up of 2 variables...these are question marks and can be filled in accordingly...but those of us who know Jesus are already one of the variables, He is the example, the "x-factor"... the other variable is our free will, this is the "y-factor" and it stands for you... it's what we DO with our Jesus variable, the action, the verb...put them together and we have God's will for us...
Colossians 1:9-12 (The Message)
9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.
His word is so beautifully expressed:) but all of us struggle within ourselves asking for a clear, audible voice or vision, we just need to remember our variables...He is our example...follow Him...and do the math;)
X (Jesus IN you) + Y (you/your actions) = God's will
This is really good!
ReplyDeleteI think that "if we feel that God has directed us in one direction" (and on occasion, He might), and we choose to go in a direction that is different from or even in opposition to that guidance that we've received, then that's a problem. That is knowing what He wants us to do and choosing not to do it.
On the other hand, if we have not received any clear direction, if we have two (or more) equally good choices--choices that are moral, ethical, and allow us to live out our purpose of becoming like Jesus--then we are completely free to choose whichever option we prefer, or that best fits the way God designed us.
oooooo the conversation begins:)... but if we are truly seeking God's will? and we have been guided in a certain direction? if we apply our Jesus variable to the equation then we would be like Him in Gethsemane and ask for the cup to be removed...if it isn't? then we add our "free will" to the equation because we want to do what God is asking of us and go head on into the "uncomfortable" road that He is paving...it's probably cobblestone:)
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