Our lives would be so much easier if we stopped trying to measure success or a fulfilled life by the world’s standard. According to the world, the main goal in life is to go to college, get a high paying job, buy a nice house, drive a shiny new car, have a big screen TV in your living room, take expensive vacations in exotic locations, and post it all on Facebook so your friends can see how successful you are.
This is a far cry from the type of lives that the Godly men in the Bible lived. Most of the Godly were poor, spent their time praying in the wilderness, preached the Gospel wherever they went, and shared their belongings with those in the Church who are less fortunate. Their main goal in life was to know God, and to seek holiness, and to prepare themselves for the life that would come after death.
Sadly, our lives do not look much different from the lives of unbelievers. If it weren’t for the fact that we go to Church on Sundays, would we able to distinguish who is a Christian, and who isn’t? Are our goals different from their goals?
The bible says that we should never say we are going to do something in the future without saying first “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that…”. Yet all of us are guilty of trying to plan our entire lives, and the lives of our children, without saying, “If the Lord wills…”. Instead of living day to day seeking the will of God, we are foolish enough to plan our whole lives, as if we had any control over what happens even today.
It is no wonder that so many of us do not experience peace or contentment with what we have. Unless we go to the school we want, or have the job we wanted, or marry the person of our dreams, or live in a pretty house or drive a nice car, then we think that something is wrong. We are ungrateful and have trouble thanking God, because we judge our lives by the material things we see, and not those intangible things, such a growing in grace and in the knowledge of God, seeing our loved ones turn to God, learning new things about God, finding strength to resist temptation, etc.
Has anyone else been bothered by the notion that God doesn’t tell me what to do…but He’ll tell my friend so when I ask for counsel it is godly counsel?
Were the decision maker to consult with godly advisors (he “walks in the counsel of the godly”)
They would most likely affirm the valid choices
Example: HS graduate who:
Interest: Has an interest in being a policeman
Circumstances: Lives in US, Father was in the USMC, Uncle is a State Trooper. Athletic in HS
Limitations: No outward physical limitations. Family has financial limitations.
Opportunities / Options: Local community college / “The U” / Military service in various branches / Bible college that would mean dorm living and private college tuition
Resources: Already mentioned financial limitations. But he would probably be eligible for Pell grants, et cetera
Talents / Abilities: Hunts with his Father / outdoorsman
Valid Christ-honoring outcomes / choices:
Join the Air Force (or another branch). MOS = military police
College: Community College / Bible College / “The U” all valid choices
Has anyone else been bothered by the notion that God doesn’t tell me what to do…but He’ll tell my friend so when I ask for counsel it is godly counsel?
When I said “godly counsel” I did not mean to imply that God tells someone else what I should do!
so all we get to make decisions is “wisdom” and Bible verses. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Bible, but it says nothing about whether I should enlist in the Air Force or the USMC! So, that leaves a lot to “wisdom”…just looking for “common sense” in situation. I’m sorry, but the God I worship and know is bigger than that. I don’t know how to quantify it or explain it or justify it, but that simply feels wrong…no, more like incomplete to me.
I found the book by Kevin DeYoung - “Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will” an insightful read. His subtitle for the book is great - “Or How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lost, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.”
What would rankle me would be this: You tell me, “I bought a used car and the $$ saved, I gave to missions.” AND … “this is God’s will for your life as well!”
Discussion
NewOur lives would be so much
Our lives would be so much easier if we stopped trying to measure success or a fulfilled life by the world’s standard. According to the world, the main goal in life is to go to college, get a high paying job, buy a nice house, drive a shiny new car, have a big screen TV in your living room, take expensive vacations in exotic locations, and post it all on Facebook so your friends can see how successful you are.
This is a far cry from the type of lives that the Godly men in the Bible lived. Most of the Godly were poor, spent their time praying in the wilderness, preached the Gospel wherever they went, and shared their belongings with those in the Church who are less fortunate. Their main goal in life was to know God, and to seek holiness, and to prepare themselves for the life that would come after death.
Sadly, our lives do not look much different from the lives of unbelievers. If it weren’t for the fact that we go to Church on Sundays, would we able to distinguish who is a Christian, and who isn’t? Are our goals different from their goals?
The bible says that we should never say we are going to do something in the future without saying first “If the Lord wills, we will do this or that…”. Yet all of us are guilty of trying to plan our entire lives, and the lives of our children, without saying, “If the Lord wills…”. Instead of living day to day seeking the will of God, we are foolish enough to plan our whole lives, as if we had any control over what happens even today.
It is no wonder that so many of us do not experience peace or contentment with what we have. Unless we go to the school we want, or have the job we wanted, or marry the person of our dreams, or live in a pretty house or drive a nice car, then we think that something is wrong. We are ungrateful and have trouble thanking God, because we judge our lives by the material things we see, and not those intangible things, such a growing in grace and in the knowledge of God, seeing our loved ones turn to God, learning new things about God, finding strength to resist temptation, etc.
NewGodly Counsel??
Has anyone else been bothered by the notion that God doesn’t tell me what to do…but He’ll tell my friend so when I ask for counsel it is godly counsel?
NewComments on above
I observe that:
Example: HS graduate who:
Valid Christ-honoring outcomes / choices:
An example of an invalid choice: Taking a boat to Kiribati
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NewWhen I said "godly counsel" I did not mean to imply that ...
When I said “godly counsel” I did not mean to imply that God tells someone else what I should do!
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NewJim and others
so all we get to make decisions is “wisdom” and Bible verses. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Bible, but it says nothing about whether I should enlist in the Air Force or the USMC! So, that leaves a lot to “wisdom”…just looking for “common sense” in situation. I’m sorry, but the God I worship and know is bigger than that. I don’t know how to quantify it or explain it or justify it, but that simply feels wrong…no, more like incomplete to me.
NewI found the book by Kevin
I found the book by Kevin DeYoung - “Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will” an insightful read. His subtitle for the book is great - “Or How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lost, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.”
Newwkessel1
Judging from the title of the book, it sounds like something I’d agree with. Thanks for pointing it out. I’ll look into it!
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
NewJust do something...
Well, I kinda like that girl, she seems to like me, let’s just do something and get married?
Wisdom? I have not read the book…just having fun and thinking at the same time!
NewLittle choices ... big choices
My wife shopping this past weekend. For the sake of argument let’s say that cans are the same size and priced approx the same.
I’ll guarantee that wifee doesn’t give the choice a lot of attention
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NewBig choice ... time for a new car
I suggest that both are valid choices (you could throw about 10 other brands and additional models as well)
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NewWhat about this book?
Went to amazon to check out the Deyoung book mentioned above and I saw this one:
God Told Me: Who to Marry, Where to Work, Which Car to Buy…And I’m Pretty Sure I’m Not Crazy
Anyone heard of it?
NewJim
My wisdom says to by a low mileage older car and send the rest to missions…rather than buy new.
NewGood for you
That’s a valid choice too! I’m going to give an account to God for my choices … and you will to.
(As an aside … I have 2007 GM sedan with 61,000 m on it)
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NewSo Jim
you are accountable for choices but God doesn’t offer direct help on making the decision?
NewWhat would rankle me would be ...
What would rankle me would be this: You tell me, “I bought a used car and the $$ saved, I gave to missions.” AND … “this is God’s will for your life as well!”
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