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Intercessor
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 02:46 am |
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In another thread rbo4u2 wrote:
I have enuf trouble getting discernment on the simple stuff,
Rich, you've had experience in different faith traditions and are now seriously exploring (and beginning to practice, on some level, I think) Catholic spirituality.
Would you mind sharing your thoughts about why it seems so difficult sometimes to discern God's will? I would also appreciate hearing from others. I have views, of course, but sometimes one wants to hear of the experiences others have had and the conclusions they have drawn.
BeckyLast edited on Fri Jun 20th, 2008 06:31 am by Intercessor
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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JillD
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 03:54 am |
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This doesn't really answer the question, but I loved Rosalind Moss's thoughts on discerning God's will. I may not have this exactly right, but I believe she said that if you are reading God's Word, praying, reading good Christian books and other literature, and a 4th thing ... doing good works (??), that you can do whatever you want.
The point she was making was that if you are filling your mind and heart and soul with God, you will not be out of His will in the decisions you make. This makes sense to me.
Jill
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"I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are our works! My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret." Ps 139
"Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men." Ps 140
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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 04:16 am |
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Intercessor wrote: [size=In another thread rbo4u2 wrote:
I have enuf trouble getting discernment on the simple stuff,
Would you mind sharing your thoughts about why God seems to make it so difficult sometimes for a person to discern His will?]
I don't think God makes it difficult. God makes it crystal clear. The problem is that our vision is clouded, our ears are clogged, our other senses and our thoughts are confused, all by sin.
Only one human (other than our Savior, of course) ever perfectly followed God's will, and that was our Blessed Mother Mary. She was able to discern God's will without the fog that the Evil One uses to confuse the rest of us.
Our God is a God of clarity. It is Satan who uses confusion to make it difficult to discern God's will. That's why those who fill themselves with God through prayer, scripture, and unselfish acts (for example, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta or Servant of God John Paul II) seem to be able to do whatever they want. The fact is that their will is God's will because they have filled themselves so thoroughly with God that there is no room for selfishness.
Just my opinion. I fall so far short that I also have a great deal of difficulty discerning God's will for me. At 57 years old, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Intercessor
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 06:54 am |
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JillD wrote:
This doesn't really answer the question, but I loved Rosalind Moss's thoughts on discerning God's will. I may not have this exactly right, but I believe she said that if you are reading God's Word, praying, reading good Christian books and other literature, and a 4th thing ... doing good works (??), that you can do whatever you want.
The point she was making was that if you are filling your mind and heart and soul with God, you will not be out of His will in the decisions you make. This makes sense to me.
Jill
Jill, I like the move toward simplicity that her approach shows.
Should we add to her list of requirements that one needs to have reached a fairly high level of holiness (to be in the unitive way) before being granted that sort of freedom in making decisions?
Becky
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Intercessor
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 07:17 am |
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CajunRick wrote:
I don't think God makes it difficult. God makes it crystal clear. The problem is that our vision is clouded, our ears are clogged, our other senses and our thoughts are confused, all by sin.
Only one human (other than our Savior, of course) ever perfectly followed God's will, and that was our Blessed Mother Mary. She was able to discern God's will without the fog that the Evil One uses to confuse the rest of us.
Our God is a God of clarity. It is Satan who uses confusion to make it difficult to discern God's will. That's why those who fill themselves with God through prayer, scripture, and unselfish acts (for example, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta or Servant of God John Paul II) seem to be able to do whatever they want. The fact is that their will is God's will because they have filled themselves so thoroughly with God that there is no room for selfishness.
Just my opinion. I fall so far short that I also have a great deal of difficulty discerning God's will for me. At 57 years old, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up.
Rick, I was moved by the sweetness and humility of your response.
I agree that it doesn't sound quite right to say, "God makes it difficult." (In fact, you'll notice I edited my statement in the first post.) Kreeft says God gives no more evidence than He does because He does not wish to force our belief or compliance. I was trying to communicate that sense of wishing God would just send me a telegram sometimes with specific, personal instructions. 
Do you think He leaves us in the darkness, stumbling around in an effort to discern His will, so that we end up not only with an understanding of His will (in that situation) but also with the spiritual growth coming from the struggle?
Becky
Last edited on Fri Jun 20th, 2008 07:21 am by Intercessor
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Intercessor
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 07:41 am |
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What about these two principles of discernment (often heard in my Protestant background):
1. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart.
The desires are there because God placed them there
and/or
because the desires are in your heart, God will grant them.
2. open door/closed door approach --Make the best plan you can, based on your gifts, interests, preparation; then proceed toward the goal, waiting to see which doors the Lord opens and which He closes.
Anyone want to argue for or against these simple approaches?
Becky
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 12:17 pm |
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1. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. The desires are there because God placed them there and/or because the desires are in your heart, God will grant them.
There are three sources of human desires: God, man, Satan. Therefore, not all desires are of God, and God will not necessarily grant one the desires of his heart.
Let us not be deceived, then. If I have a desire to do what is evil, is that desire from God? No, it cannot be; it is from either myself or the evil one. This is why we are given the commandments: to discern which desires are of God and which are not. (See Catechism of the Catholic Church 1783–1789.)
2. Open door/closed door approach.
This has to do with a more advanced level of obedience to God’s will, wherein one follows his inspirations by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1930–1831).
But the outward opening and closing of doors is not always the only criterion; it is, in other words, not a fatalism. Sometimes a closed door is left unlocked, and we are expected to push it open and stride through. Thus many great saints have reformed the Church and human society in general by “boldly going where no man has gone before.” Witness in our own times Blessed Teresa of Calcutta serving the poorest of the poor in places where the God of the Christians is largely unknown, such as Chicago, Houston and New York City.
Suggested reading: Holy Abandonment, by Rt. Rev. Dom Vitalis Lehodey, OCR (TAN Books and Publishers). This 470-page book gives an exhaustive treatment of the topic of discerning and doing God’s will.
David
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Robert
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 01:50 pm |
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A few days ago I was doing my normal “Pub-Missionary” thing, and one of the guys told me he doesn’t go to Church anymore because it is boring, and asked why we just can’t pep things up with some good ol’ American gospel music like the Protestants do.
I asked him If he know why we went to Church…he looked at me…tried to answer but nothing was in the coming. I let him off the hook and answered for him: We go to Church to encounter God and not to be entertained. He than realized that he had left God out of his Church equation. He wanted the presence of Gospel Music to reach out to him and not the presence of God.
Now what does this have to do with the Subject here?
The relationship with God always has two basic elements:
The Katabatic: God comes to us.
The Anabatic: Our reply to his reaching out to us.
The question of discernment comes about when we realize that God is constantly reaching out to us (cf. e.g. Moses, Jacob, Job) even if we close ourselves to him. The more we realize and “practice” this, the clearer the discernment becomes.
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Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)
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rbo4u2
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 03:38 pm |
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Intercessor wrote:
In another thread rbo4u2 wrote:
I have enuf trouble getting discernment on the simple stuff,
Rich, you've had experience in different faith traditions and are now seriously exploring (and beginning to practice, on some level, I think) Catholic spirituality.
Would you mind sharing your thoughts about why it seems so difficult sometimes to discern God's will? I would also appreciate hearing from others. I have views, of course, but sometimes one wants to hear of the experiences others have had and the conclusions they have drawn.
Becky
Hi Becky Since you asked a serious question, I will try to answer with a serious answer. First, the Bible gives us clear direction of his will for us in many places in Scripture. I have no problem understanding his will where it is clear. My problem comes from my own weaknesses in consistently obeying his will. Sometimes that is due to orneryness on my part or interpreting through denominational sunglasses which "color" my understanding of the truth.
Sometimes (most often, I suspect) we need help in discerning God's will. That comes from, as St. Paul in Ephesians tells us, "And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, 5 for building up the body of Christ"
God has designated certain individuals who make clear or help to instruct us to discover God's will. I find the designation that pastors and teachers is a compound construction when you diagram the phrase, meaning pastor and teacher can be one who's duties are to pastor as well as teach.
You can say that all these gifts or charisms as the RCC defines them I think, provide a magisterium of instruction to enable us to find God's will.
And yes..don't forget the magisterium and instruction like the Catechism.
Thirdly, I do not necessarily believe God will reveal every little detail to us. He has given us a brain to use, a will to bring into conformity with his ultimate authority and a conscience to be formed by the scriptures. In other words, he expects us to use our heads after we have asked the help of the Holy Spirit. I don't need God to show me where I am to park in a crowded parking lot. I just need an open spot, hopefully near the entrance to the mall or store and hopefully in the shade to protect my car from the hot rays of the summer sun and hopefully where no other idiot..er..non thinking neanderthal, who will fling his door open to ding my shiny car. God allows us to wingit as it were, it in those situations.
So in conclusion to this long explanation...the others have also added insight. Oh...yes...don't forget the Paraclete..the Holy Spirit who comes along side to assist us.
God bless
Rich
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Intercessor
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Posted: Fri Jun 20th, 2008 06:13 pm |
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Suggested reading: Holy Abandonment, by Rt. Rev. Dom Vitalis Lehodey, OCR (TAN Books and Publishers). This 470-page book gives an exhaustive treatment of the topic of discerning and doing God’s will.
Thank you for the suggested reading. Sounds like a very good choice.
The question of discernment comes about when we realize that God is constantly reaching out to us (cf. e.g. Moses, Jacob, Job) even if we close ourselves to him. The more we realize and “practice” this, the clearer the discernment becomes.
Your comments remind me of Jean-Pierre de Caussade's teachings—God revealing His will to us in the ordinary, everyday events and encounters.
Sometimes (most often, I suspect) we need help in discerning God's will. That comes from, as St. Paul in Ephesians tells us, "And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, 5 for building up the body of Christ"
God has designated certain individuals who make clear or help to instruct us to discover God's will. . . . Oh...yes...don't forget the Paraclete..the Holy Spirit who comes alongside to assist us.
Yes, Rich. I agree. Thanks for your comments.
Becky
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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brian
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 05:21 am |
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David W. Emery wrote:
1. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. The desires are there because God placed them there and/or because the desires are in your heart, God will grant them.
There are three sources of human desires: God, man, Satan. Therefore, not all desires are of God, and God will not necessarily grant one the desires of his heart.
Let us not be deceived, then. If I have a desire to do what is evil, is that desire from God? No, it cannot be; it is from either myself or the evil one. This is why we are given the commandments: to discern which desires are of God and which are not. (See Catechism of the Catholic Church 1783–1789.)
David, I think these considerations are of import for discernment. That one can not just assume whatever he wants must have been put there by God. However, why I will rush to somewhat defend the original implication was that I believe it came from scripture and was based somwhat on an all important condition. I believe the psalm says: "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart" Psalm 37:4.
Therefore there must be some improved difference in the desires of a person who is delighting him or her self in worldly things versus those whose desires change due to their hearts proximity to the Divine truth and beauty. I think it is somewhat like Jesus saying, where your treasure is there your heart will be. Or streams of living water will flow from within. For they that desire what the world gives really lack what they truly desire. Whereas He gives to us in a way that the world does not. What He gives truly satisfies our desires. I believe that the person more conformed to the image of Jesus is more likely to desire the things that Jesus desires. This is why the saints and the mother of God are such powerful intercessors. This is why we practice daily saying 'thy will be done' This is why we learn to deny ourselves and say Christ must increase, I must decrease.
So I wholeheartedly believe that if you define desire as a longing for what truly satisfies and qualify the way toward such holy ambition is delighting oneself in the Lord that one can grow to the point where the desires of their heart will correspond quite amiably with God's will for them.
In short, if we will learn to want the pearl of great price we will be satisfied as with the richest of fare. For God is our only true desire if we are truly in touch with our deepest longing, and this is a desire I believe that He would not will to leave unrequited as it comes from a divine initiative of grace and love to begin with.
However, I do agree that discernment is key as we do tend to be confused as to what we really ought desire and often do desire what is less than worthy. In that sense of the word I agree as to the three sources you mention and share concern of an individual assuming that all they seem to desire comes from Go or should be granted them by God.
The solution: delighting oneself in the Lord.
Brian
Edited to fix formattingLast edited on Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 02:56 pm by
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Intercessor
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 03:14 pm |
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Psalm 37 verses
[3] Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so you will dwell in the land, and enjoy security.
[4] Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[5] Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
[7] Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; RSV
RSV Psalm 37 verses
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible is copyright © National Council of Churches of Christ in America and distributed to registered users (see User Agreement) with their kind permission. The HTI is grateful to NCC and the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Computer Analysis of Texts (CCAT) for their permission to provide this WWW-accessible version.
Intercessor wrote: What about these two principles of discernment (often heard in my Protestant background):
1. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. The desires are there because God placed them there and/or because the desires are in your heart, God will grant them.
2. open door/closed door approach --Make the best plan you can, based on your gifts, interests, preparation; then proceed toward the goal, waiting to see which doors the Lord opens and which He closes.
brian wrote: However, why I will rush to somewhat defend the original implication was that I believe it came from scripture and was based somewhat on an all important condition. I believe the psalm says: "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart" Psalm 37:4.
Therefore there must be some improved difference in the desires of a person who is delighting him or her self in worldly things versus those whose desires change due to their hearts proximity to the Divine truth and beauty. . . . I believe that the person more conformed to the image of Jesus is more likely to desire the things that Jesus desires. . . . This is why we practice daily saying "Thy will be done." This is why we learn to deny ourselves and say, "Christ must increase, I must decrease."
So I wholeheartedly believe that if you define desire as a longing for what truly satisfies and qualify the way toward such holy ambition is delighting oneself in the Lord that one can grow to the point where the desires of their heart will correspond quite amiably with God's will for them. . . .
Brian, so glad you joined the discussion. Your posts engage my mind and bless my heart.
Yes, the first principle of discernment I mentioned is most definitely based on Psalm 37. I should have made that clear in the beginning. I was presupposing the mindset characterized in these verses.
You were essentially describing the state in which one has been brought into union with God, into conformity with the Divine Will. If I am in such a "place," I want no gift, no person, no relationship, no job, no set of circumstances, no deliverance from suffering, no state in life UNLESS it is in comformity with the Divine Will.
In my own life the second principle has been helpful when a decision has to be made. One cannot pursue a course of action if the door is closed and locked. Sometimes the open door is one I might not have chosen but for the fact that other doors were closed and locked. (I am thinking of career moves, in particular, but the principle applies in just about every area of life, doesn't it?) I think God guides us in that way as well as through spiritual directors, Scripture, the CCC, common sense, wisdom and prayer.
I believe you are right, Brian, when you say the most important element of discernment is delighting oneself in the Lord and in His perfect Divine Will. There is no joy, no peace to be found in anything outside that Divine Will.
Becky
Last edited on Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 03:15 pm by Intercessor
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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left coast mystic
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 03:52 pm |
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Becky -
For many years the open door/closed door picture has helped me perceive what direction God would have me go. I actually have a picture in my mind something like the room that Alice fell into in "Alice in Wonderland" - a circular room with doors all around. I can imagine myself trying a door (Lord, is it this one?) and sensing if it is locked, open, or shut but openable.
More recently God has given me a new way of perceiving the situation when I'm uncertain about which choice to make. A couple of years ago when I was stuck about something He asked me "what's in your hand?" It took me awhile to see the situation in a way where that question made sense, but eventually I realized that the direction He wanted me to go in was the one that was already partially formed. I tend to be a "big vision" person (and I need to be for my profession) but since these words entered my heart I have found great comfort and MUCH greater discernment in decision-making.
What He's been teaching me is to look at the obvious things, the unexciting things, in looking for His guidance. It's those things that He breathes His life and glory into. We fallen humans are so prone to want big splashy answers, but we need to remember that God chose to come to earth as a homeless baby in an out-of-the-way corner of the empire, rather than sending miraculous signs in the sky that would be seen by all. Isn't it amazing that the signs in the sky that he did send were seen only by a bunch of smelly old shepherds - social outcasts? What's in my hand? What am I overlooking because it's so ordinary? What's already mine? These are the questions I live with daily.
Marcee
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Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 04:16 pm |
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What you say is true, Brian. And it does not contradict what I wrote. For we must be careful not to misunderstand the Augustinian dictum, “Love God and do what you will.” Unless there is positive assurance that what I desire is indeed according to the will of God, then it is clearly either of myself or of the evil one. This is the reason why God has given us the commandments, the precepts of the Church and other guidelines of conduct. It is why we examine our consciences with reference to these guidelines and confess our sins: it clears the mind as well as the heart, showing us the difference between good and evil and allowing us to see clearly the path we must take.
Most people in our times seem not to understand how, by seeking a created good, we can sin against the Creator of that good, and this was the point of my objection against the idea of “The Lord will give you the desires of your heart” without further qualification. Let this excerpt from An Introduction to Moral Theology by William E. May explain it more in detail:
No one… does evil purely for the sake of evil. When we do things that we know are wicked and sinful, that we know are opposed to God’s law of love, we are not acting irrationally, for we are seeking to participate in some appealing good. …[T]he turning away from God and the setting aside of his law of love is not precisely what the sinner is setting out to do in sinning. It is not as though we say to ourselves, “I am going to harden my heart against God.” The privative aspect of the sin [rejecting God], in other words, is not the final aim or point of our intentional action; our intent, at least in the sense of our ulterior end in acting, is rather the participation in some appealing good. Thus, the sinner need not “intend,” in one of the senses of that term, to offend God and to turn aside from him. The sinner may only be seeking to gratify himself. He may, of course, be willing to turn away from God as a means to this gratification; and he surely “intends” to do what he knows is opposed to God’s law of love as a means to the good in which he seeks to participate. And this is the precise point. The sinner’s choice can and ought to be compatible with love of God; it can and ought to conform to the requirements of God’s law, the law that directs us to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But the sinner chooses to act in a way he knows is not compatible with this kind of love. He recognizes that choosing to pursue this particular created good here and now necessarily demands that he close his heart, his person, to God’s all-encompassing love. Because of this recognition, he realizes that his pursuit of this particular created good here and now means putting love for it ahead of his love for God and neighbor. It is in this way that the sinner “turns away” from God and puts in the place of God some created good.
Indeed, St. Paul in Colossians 3:5 refers to this motive for sin as idolatry: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Covetousness — a desire for what is not lawful — is one of the forms idolatry takes in real life, for it puts a created good in place of God. Our lower nature — passion, evil desire, according to St. Paul — brings this on, and it results in evil deeds, such as fornication and impurity — although the outward sin could, of course, take many other forms.
It is in this last sense that Christ himself says: “But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). We do not need to actually commit the adultery, but only to desire it, to be guilty of it. By the same token, we do not need to consciously and intentionally reject God, but only to prefer a created good to him, to commit the sin of idolatry.
David
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Intercessor
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 04:21 pm |
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left coast mystic wrote:
Becky -
For many years the open door/closed door picture has helped me perceive what direction God would have me go. I actually have a picture in my mind something like the room that Alice fell into in "Alice in Wonderland" - a circular room with doors all around. I can imagine myself trying a door (Lord, is it this one?) and sensing if it is locked, open, or shut but openable.
More recently God has given me a new way of perceiving the situation when I'm uncertain about which choice to make. A couple of years ago when I was stuck about something He asked me "what's in your hand?" It took me awhile to see the situation in a way where that question made sense, but eventually I realized that the direction He wanted me to go in was the one that was already partially formed. I tend to be a "big vision" person (and I need to be for my profession) but since these words entered my heart I have found great comfort and MUCH greater discernment in decision-making.
What He's been teaching me is to look at the obvious things, the unexciting things, in looking for His guidance. It's those things that He breathes His life and glory into. We fallen humans are so prone to want big splashy answers, but we need to remember that God chose to come to earth as a homeless baby in an out-of-the-way corner of the empire, rather than sending miraculous signs in the sky that would be seen by all. Isn't it amazing that the signs in the sky that he did send were seen only by a bunch of smelly old shepherds - social outcasts? What's in my hand? What am I overlooking because it's so ordinary? What's already mine? These are the questions I live with daily.
Marcee
Marcee, I knew you would have wisdom in this area and was hoping you would contribute to the thread. Thank you for this beautiful post.
My journey in discernment has been similar to yours, with thinking along the lines you suggest. I appreciate your comments.
Becky
Last edited on Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 07:05 pm by Intercessor
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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Ali
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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 01:45 pm |
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[size=1. The Lord will give you the desires of your heart.
The desires are there because God placed them there
and/or
because the desires are in your heart, God will grant them.
]
I don't believe God grants us things just because we have a strong desire for them in our heart. Couples have longed for children or financial security, and have been granted neither.
Yes, God does want us to be happy. But we need to learn to be happy with what blessings God does grant us.
Which sort of leads me to this . . .
2. open door/closed door approach --Make the best plan you can, based on your gifts, interests, preparation; then proceed toward the goal, waiting to see which doors the Lord opens and which He closes.
If God does not grant our (for example) desire for children, then that door is closed. What we need to do is see what one is opening for us. Is a child based church ministry opening up to us? Is God calling us to foster children in our home and share with them unconditional love, if only for a little bit?
No matter what aspect we focus on, though, IA with Rick's assessment. God has desires for us, but because of sin and everyday life pressures, we lose sight of Him and what He is giving us and can't completely fulfill His plans for us.
What a humbling and awesome thing when you think of it, really. That God has plans for us. Tiny little imperfect people who don't know how good we have it. We are so important to Him, and He want us to be happy. We really do matter to Him.
Ali
Ali
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Tina in Ashburn
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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 06:48 pm |
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I'm tempted to wait for "God to tell me" but I've come to the conclusion that God expects me to glorify Him following the ordinary path. Rather humbling, darn it.
God gives us intellect and reason, and normal social interaction to conclude what we are to do. If the path we discern is not disobedient or evil, then it is probably the right thing.
Consider doing the obvious, the ordinary and logical, pray about it. Then act according to your conclusions.
Most of us aren't like St Joseph in the Gospels who got his direction from angels.
God expects us to take the simple, ordinary path first.
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Tina
Arlington Diocese
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Intercessor
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 02:18 am |
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My thanks to all who have contributed so far to this thread. It's interesting to scroll through looking for similarities and differences.
Becky
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
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kersca
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 11:18 am |
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My former spouse and I were separated and on the road to divorce. Every night I askked God, often in tears, to show me the path. I kept praying and still recieved no clear answers. I told God that I would do whatever He asked of me... He never asked. The divorce was granted even though I had a standing order to my lawyer that we would stop everything if she consented to seeing a counsellor.
So, I could ask why God never really told me what to do..., but I don't. During that time of complete reliance on God I learned how important of a quality that is. Sometimes, I think, god just needs us to turn it over to Him. It is that act of turning it over that truly gives us peace.
Adam
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Tina in Ashburn
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 02:21 pm |
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One of my most favorite examples of this dilemma was of the minister in the old Kudzu comic strip.
In the first frame, the minister is on his knees, looking up to heaven, hands clasped, talking to God: "Dear God just tell me what to do".
Next frame: "Dear God, please give me sign, am I doing the right thing?”
Next frame: the minister is struck by lightening.
Next frame: there's the minister, blackened, fried crispy, clothes ragged, hair sticking out, still on his knees, looking up to heaven, saying: "Please God, just give me a sign!"
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Tina
Arlington Diocese
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Intercessor
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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 04:52 pm |
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