| Author | Message | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 112 Registered: 7-2005  |
I read that at the FAF meeting "Greg Taylor directed discussions on living by the Spirit and how to know we are "hearing" God's will for us" Maybe someone can share more details about this subject. It's about my life, and what I will do for a living. I have a BA in theology from adventist theological institute, and prepared for ministry, but the Lord intervened and my path was blocked to access to the ministry. This was in 2000. Like a friend said about me, my gifts, passion, is working for the Lord, but this is now an impossible dream. I confess that I don't know what is the will of God for me, what skills He had given me to earn my bread. Today I worked as a courier, and my boss is adventist. He doesn't know my new belief, he attend another church. I anticipate That I will be fired, but now, even if I asked God for a long time, 1 year, I have not a clue what I will do in the future. How can I know for sure what's His will for me in this area? The Bible leads me in knowing His will about His work of redemption. How can it helps me also in knowing what to do to earn a living? I'm confused and don't know what to do, don't know what to search for, and don't know what will life be after I break competely with adventism. How can I know that I follow the will of God in secular aspects of life, like work? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3469 Registered: 12-2003  |
Jackob, you ask a really good question. I'm not sure there's a "formula" answer. I can only say what we have experienced. As overriding principles, I believe that discovering God's will involves prayer, a settled conviction that transcends knowledge, and an anchoring in Scripture. If anything seems like a "good idea" but it contradicts Scripture, that's not going to be God's will. Another thing I believe is related to knowing God's will are these: submitting my dreams and desires to Jesusóin other words, offering myself as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1)óand asking Him to reveal His will to me and to make me willing to follow Him. I'm finding that giving up my "right" to do what I think I should do and being open to God's provision seems to yield more certainty that does trying to figure things out myself. The best way I can explain what I mean is by example. Richard has prayed for years about his job. He works at an Adventist institution, and he has been up front about his having left the church. Many things have been difficultóincreasingly so as time has passedóbut, as he has told me, he has not felt that God has "released" him yet. He says that when he prays about what to do, he gets a deep sense of "Wait." Interestingly, as I have prayed about his work, I have also had the same sense: sit tight; wait. Richard knows that when God is done with him where he is, he will know it; he will be "released". When I had to decide whether or not to take on editing Proclamation (PDFs will come soon--we've got out-of-town family visiting for a few days), Richard would not tell me what he though I should do. Taking the job meant I'd have to quit teachiungówhich meant we didn't know where an income would come from. Richard also said that I shouldn't make the decision based upon the money. He said I had to know whether or not God was calling me to this job, that the day would come when I would wonder why I had taken it, and I would need to be able to look back and KNOW the work was God's call to me. For a month I prayed about it. Interestingly, one of the ways God confirmed this decision to me was the input of a few people who knew what I was facing. One comment came from a friend who has known me for over 20 years. She said to me one day, "I'm praying that God will confirm this job to you." Various other things contributed to my growing certainty. One day as I was driving home from school, I realized with unusual clarity that I was anticipating editing, and I was experiencing no anxiety about the potential loss of income. I had a sense of peace and certainty that God was caring for the future. I realized that my lack of anxiety was a clear confirmation from God; this kind of peace about a potentially difficult situation was not natural to me. On the other hand, sometimes God asks us to trust Him without knowing where we'll end up for a long time. Greg Taylor has been praying about permanent work for several years. God has provided for him and his family; they have never missed a house paymentóbut he does not have full time work although God has been bringing many unexpected opportunities for vaired types of ministry into his life. In short, confusion is not a mark of God's direction. He brings peace and even contentment when we are submitted to Him. Sometimes God asks us to waitósometimes even for months or years. He confirms this waiting to us with His calming presence and peace. Soemtimes I've even had the sense that God waits for me to give up my dreams before revealing His next appointment. Finally, I've never experienced God letting me know in advance what He's asking me to do. He asks us to trust Him now, for todayóand to hold onto our confidence that He is in our future, and He will bring to us the work He prepared in advance for us to do when it is His time. Colleen | ||
| Cy Registered user Username: Cy Post Number: 45 Registered: 1-2005  |
Hi, Jackob. If it helps, here are the notes that I took from Greg's session that I attended (note that he lead this session at least three times, so others may have had different experiences than mine). --- Living in the Spirit ñ Greg Taylor We were seated in a circle with Pastor Taylor leading the discussion. Greg opened by citing Luke 11: 11 "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? Remember that the early Christians' symbol for Christ was a fish (ichthus); if you ask your Father in heaven for the gifts of Christ, will you be given Satan (remember that the Holy Spirit was the gift of Christ to His believers after He ascended to heaven, and the snake was Satan in Eden)? And an egg is symbolic of life, but a scorpion is symbolic of death; if we ask for eternal life, will we be given death? Then, if we ask for the Holy Spirit, we are at liberty (free!) to read the Word! Romans 8: 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God At this point, Greg asked two questions for group discussion: * How do we know it's the Holy Spirit speaking to and leading us? * How do we get guidance from the Holy Spirit on topics not directly addressed in the Bible? After relating our testimonies to each other and our experiences of listening to and being guided by the Holy Spirit in our journeys to Christ, Greg related the approach that he and his wife use when it comes to evaluating and responding to promptings that may be from the Holy Spirit: "green light, orange light, red light." Here's what it means and an example of each: * Green light: a clear prompting to do something with little risk other than embarrassment. Example: Greg had a non-believer friend who had been having a difficult time; the friend had been through divorce and moved away to Colorado. One day when Greg called the friend, something didn't feel right to Greg, and Greg felt moved to pray with the friend while on the phone. So, in spite of the obvious risk to his ego, Greg offered to pray with the friend, and to his surprise, the friend accepted. After a brief prayer, the conversation soon ended and Greg lost touch with the friend. After a year, the friend called Greg and asked him, "Do you remember that night you prayed with me? I was going to take my life that night, but that prayer saved me and turned my life around." * Yellow light: a leading to do something with moderate risk or disruption needing a little time, prayer and discussion before following. Example: a moderately significant purchase or gift. * Red light: a leading that would result in a significant cost, needing a lot of faith, time, prayer, discussion, and preparation. Example: Greg was given the idea to visit pastors and churches in Africa that are learning about the New Covenant. When the idea came to him, Greg had just started a position with a church and didn't think that there was any way it would be possible for him to take the time away from his job; plus, there was the expense and many other issues in the way. God took care of everything, and Greg visited Uganda. Now, God seems to be leading Greg back to Africa, and doors are being opened, so Greg may soon be traveling again. In wrapping up the session, we again shared stories from our faith and related them to this new context. --- P.S.: Thanks to Colleen for her answers and testimony above! I didn't take notes on each person's comments and testimonies to the Holy Spirit's leading during Greg's session, so Colleen's words add a lot of meaning and context to my notes. Blessings to you, Cy (Message edited by cy on March 01, 2006) | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 421 Registered: 8-2004  |
Thank you for sharing those notes Cy! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 1373 Registered: 3-2005 |
Jackob, You have a great support system on this board. Colleen and Cy said it all and said it very well! Stan | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 115 Registered: 7-2005 |
Colleen, CY, thank you very much. You gave me something to think about in the next days. I'll come back with other comments. | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 29 Registered: 2-2006 |
I like the wisdom posted here from Greg (the 'lights', especially) and what Colleen wrote. It is like what I have found, but defines it better for me. I get a twist in my gut, sometimes, an uneasiness, when something is not quite right and I 'listen' to that. I have found that it is never wrong and I believe the Holy Spirit is in that discernment. When I am in doubt, I have a policy of this: If in doubt, dont'. In otherwords, wait. More information is needed, I need to talk to other Christans, read scripture, pray; all the channels, where the Holy Spirit can 'speak'. Especially, through his Word, scripture. I always desire confirmation from outside sources; other Christans, and/or reading material, as well as scripture (which isn't really an outside source) to backcheck myself. My brain and emotions can think up a lot of things, but are they compltely valid? Many times, it is ok, but, sometimes, not. I am subjective; I need an objective view. (Many times, in the past. I actively did not listen to my 'gut', that warning, and regretted it, dearly) I have found that confusion, unease, depression/lack of motivation for a thing (unrelated to a chemical imbalance) and irritability (and other negative things) are never a result of the right direction. When I am absolutey (and sometimes before) sure soemthing is the right direction in God's will, there is a calm, peace (even joy, at times). And doors open. Questions are answered. But, rarely, is any of this instant, easy or even in the week I asked God. I believe that most of what is God's will for my life is what is already right in front of me, on my plate, and if he desires more for me, he is going to throw it across my path and make sure he gets my attention. I have seen thjis happen in my lifetime, whether it was discovering the lie of Adventism, a deeper understanding of grace, a major decision or a new path for my life. Circumstances dictated many of my choices and I had to believe that God was either in control of my life for his will and glory, and the situations, which came, or believe in the pagan (and Islamic) concept of Fate (a Greek diety) was in control of me, the puppet. I chose Christ. I used to worry a lot about being in God's will and doing God's will (another SDA residue), but, finally, realized that I didn't need to worry about it. He takes care of that, too. The Holy Spirit is promised to even guide and tell us in what to say, when situations occur (not before, I note). Every detail is taken into account in our lives. Over and over in scripture (old and new), it says that God's will WILL be DONE. That is not only meaning Christ's act on the cross, but for any and all of his will, including our lives, as well. His wiil WILL be done. When we pray "Thy will be done" (and I do), we are submitting ourselves--Self--to our Lord in **trust** and love for him. Trust. No love given nor received can be real without that base. We love him, we want him so much in our lives... Make mistakes? Part of his will, growing up in Christ, learning of him, becoming stronger in his power, wiser in his mind. That's all. And it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. We can trust him 100%. His will will be done, even if and when we are not sure. Cathy | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 441 Registered: 7-2004  |
Amen Cathy. His will is always being accomplished. I used to have such fear that I might not be choosing His will for my life in what I did. But He truly takes care of it all. | ||
| Lisa_boyldavis Registered user Username: Lisa_boyldavis Post Number: 173 Registered: 3-2005 |
Dear Jackob, I have to say that when I worried sick about God's Will and didn't make a move until I heard him, I was a mental nut case, but when I prayed for God to guide me and started taking steps that God would direct my steps, but I had to start moving. Work is a tough thing because leaving a job means you have to move to another job.... Another way to think of God's Will... WHAT IF GOD WANTS ME TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO. Is it possible that God puts a wish in my heart and then makes the wish come true by giving me that kind of a job? I think so many Christians are focused on self-sacrifice that they rule out the possibility that what we wish for is really a wish that God placed in a heart and has planned from the beginning for that wish to come true. The scripture says that God loves to give good gifts to his children. I never even considered being a businessperson when I was Adventist because that was considered secular in my family. Now that I'm following God wherever He leads, I'm realizing there are SO MANY WAYS I CAN BE PART OF ADVANCING HIS KINDOME THROUGH BUSINESS THAT I COULD NEVER DO IN SOCIAL WORK, WHICH IS WHAT I ENDED UP GOING INTO. I will pray that you learn to lean into God's arms, that you will make sure you are not trying to plan your life around your guilt, but around God's Love. And that you sense God's Spirit in your spirit all the way to your career choice. Lisa |
