Seeking Gods Guidance
Peta Bilton - Communications/Media Soul Survivor NSW/ACT
I love asking people what they wanted to be when they ‘grew up’. It’s funny how we can get a really small glimpse into the dreaming of a small child and a little insight into the imagination God placed in that person.
There is a local Sydney dentist called Dr Payne. A fabulous dentist, but if you ask him what he wanted to be when he grew up, we will tell you he wanted to be a dentist because of his name. I love that his name helped him determine his calling! – if only it was that simple! Calling can sometimes sound overwhelming or daunting to talk about. It sounds like a destination – maybe one that sounds out of reach but let’s walk through this together because it’s really about taking on the person God created us to be, listening to him and exercising the Gifts he has placed in us.
I want to introduce you to the 4 D’s. These have really helped me in my journey in discernment of what God is doing. I hope they can help you too!
DON’T MISS THE DAILY CALL
We can be so distracted asking God and trying to discern the calling or purpose of the season we are in, that that we miss the daily call. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “His mercies are new every morning (or great is your faithfulness and) The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.” EVERYDAY we are forgiven and every day we are called to walk in that. The daily call helps us discern the bigger picture as we say yes to his calling every day.
What does the Lord require of you but to dojustice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
DISCERNING OPPORTUNITY (or maybe lack thereof)
This is something that I often find hard. And it is hard! But I always think it’s about trying. God has placed in you gifts for you to use lavishly with for his Glory. He’s given you vision, and He’s given you His Holy Spirit. All these things will help you as you grow. Be prayerful though. You will knock on doors, and sometimes you’ll have to discern with the Lord whether you need to keep trying, or try something new. Maybe there is another door that leads to the same thing. God is for you not against you and is in your journey – This is the journey he uses to grow you into the person he created you to be. Don’t forget to let Him do that,
Sometimes God will answer with not yet and not you, like he did with David, when he wanted to build the temple in the Old testament. (and David’s response was to give glory to God as the one who knows best) so with that, give yourself permission to chop and change! Give yourself permission to change your mind, or to stay longer in something you didn’t think you would! Stay open to what God is doing, and include other people in your journey to help you discern. God is the same yesterday, today AND TOMORROW. Trust him! It gives a whole new meaning to walking by faith and not by sight. Give things a go! He is cheering you on!
DIG IN
Make time and do it! Make the phone calls, ask the questions, make the time. You, not anybody else, has to make time to follow Gods calling for you. Whether it be day, season, life. And It sounds super, ‘unspiritual’ but reality is that God super practical. Practical enough to send JESUS to literally show us how to do life. He heals people, he changes our live in practical ways. Bring him into the practical and the nity gritty when you choose to dig into what he is calling you to.
DREAMING ABOUT IT ISNT DOING IT.
As a part of human nature, we like to stay where we stay where we are, because we are scared. We are scared of moving to a new season or trying something new because we fear we might fail, make a mistake and as we result we say, that we are going to “wait for God to be REALLY REALLY clear.” And we call it waiting, but it’s actually just fear.
“The surest way to not for fill your calling is to be paralysed by fear.” Jo Saxton
In our waiting we dream. Our heart is there but our hands and feet stand paralysed. He’s cheering you on so take on the daily call and discern with him as you take it one step at a time. The perfect author is growing you, and taking you on a journey WITH him.
Jesus knew his ultimate calling was on the cross, but he also fulfilled His calling by doing what he saw his father doing (John 5:19) in the everyday. Healing the blind and sick, developing disciples, loving Mary and Martha. He fulfilled his calling every day and fulfilled the ultimate calling so we too could have a relationship with the Father.
Calling sounds massive, and in one sense it is! But its Gods whisper, an invitation to walk the path he has created for you. Choose to say yes, everyday and every season. And give it a go! Take a risk. Be prayerful. Have Fun!