I have a friend who had an important decision to make. We conversed, and he presented some concerns, a well as the pros and cons of each. There were things to be considered and I felt that my role was to only reinforce what I felt were the priorities, of which I felt we both shared in common.
Later, the friend sent me a note, saying he felt peace about it, and was going to let his heart decide. I felt confident concerning which decision he was going to make, and felt peace about it also ...after all, he said he was going to pray about it.
I went from peace to perplexity. I couldn't figure it out, how could it have happened?
What had happened, was rather opposite from what I'd prayed about. I also thought, how could God be telling that person differently than me?
In truth, I know God can tell two different people different things ...not because God is inconsistent, He certainly is not, but because He is wise ...He knows what we need, and some of us need different things.
But, aren't there issues where ...God would tell us the same thing? Would God tell one person to pray for Israel, but tell someone else not to? This may be clear to me, but it may be clearer to me because I know I can feel sorry for, and pray for the people of Gaza too, who very significantly are not allowed to represent themselves, being run & overrun by terrorist groups. But, this does not mean I should not pray for Israel.
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My children love to go to the U.P., where I was born and raised. They see the love between me and my parents, and they share that love too. But, if I had taught them from an early age to hate the U.P., and everyone who lives there ...would I say it's their fault if they have a predisposition to feel negatively towards any mention of it?
Eventually, wouldn't they be accountable for their own feelings, searching God's heart over the issue ...seeing if there is any reason God would have them maintain such a negative stance?
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What often becomes a slippery slope, is when we try to follow our heart, thinking that is where God is leading us. That is not always true. We can get caught up: following our brain, whether it is mere common sense, or well thought out ...or following our heart, whether it is impulsive emotions, or long-established.
It may even be difficult to establish what we think God would logically think, or what God's heart would be. Do we think God thinks logically? Would it be more accurate to say, God thinks omnisciently and omnipresently ...inclusive of not only the present, but the past and future too, all at the same time?
Suppose you begin a relationship with someone of a different gender. The relationship becomes emotional, and intensifies to the extent that you are enthralled ...let me just say, you give the other person your undivided attention, and only the two of you seem to exist during certain passionate moments. This may seem very romantic, but you both are not married, and by virtue (or lack of it) of your romantic interludes, a certain physical change felt only by the one of you ---who is of the female gender ---brings concern or curiosity.
After checking into it, you both find out a new life has entered your midst.
Do you then approach this as a celebration, or a burden?
I've seen both reactions, but only the celebration aspect has been present in anything I've shared in. Though, professionally I've had to care for one who ran down a hallway, leaping on her stomach, attempting to cause a miscarriage. Obviously, she considered it a burden.
If you were to search out God's heart, do you think God would be in favor of abortion? Actually, the conversation of God's view on it should have begun much before this. I think that if God's leading had been in consideration, this latter conversation wouldn't even be taking place.
When I was in my early twenties, I was asked to teach a Sunday School class. I politely tried to refuse, stating I had never read the Bible. I was told that I'd have a teacher's book to provide me with everything I needed. They further explained what they needed, and were asking of me, was to maintain discipline in an unruly group ...further stating they knew I worked in a Mental Institution, and could handle almost any unruly group.
I reluctantly accepted, yet met the challenge by quickly taking care of the unruliness. Having taught them what I did know, I ended up trying to teach them what I didn't know ...the Bible. But faced with doing so, I learned perhaps more than I ever did.
I also should mention that fearing what questions I might be asked, I did also read the entire Bible, and though I am a slow reader, I did my best to read it during any free time I had.
So, now if some of you want to explain to me God's heart on any particular subject, I will attempt to be the student so you can teach me how you feel, which I feel is very important ---but please, after telling me your heart, please lead me to the section of the Bible where we can study it together.
I believe that we should have our say, but we should give at least that much attention to what God says.
