Another Spiritual Question

Friday March 20, 2009

Why is it so much easier (or seem to be) for folks to discern God's will/plan for other people? It seems easier to see God's involvement through "the rear view mirror." How do we discern where God is moving ahead?

Comments (15)

posted by Scot McKnight @ 1:12pm Permalink email icon

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Diana

March 20, 2009 5:11 PM

I so agree with Scott M. We just need to take that next step. If we are walking with Jesus (loving God, loving others), where we wind up is where God wants us to be. Nathan - Amen to you, too!!!!

I have the wonderful privilege of serving as a mentor to many. I find that the need generally isn't for "direction" (which would demand that I be able to discern God's will or plan for other people) but for "encouragement". Most of the dear ones I am honored to minister to seem to know what needs to be done. They simply need support in taking that next step. Fear impedes us from following God in faith.

When, after taking that step, we find that it has some surprising consequences (after all, I'm sure Abraham never anticipated, when he arrived at the land that was to be flowing with milk and honey, that he would encounter a famine!) they need someone alongside to remind them that this does not mean they have made a mistake, but instead,
"that is what is!" Pain is part of the process. God still has a plan. He is not caught by surprise by the sudden turn of events, but instead, is present in their pain, guiding, providing, growing them, growing His Kingdom through them. He is teaching them, even in the times when life is a surprise, to love Him and to love others - His will.

John Ottens

March 20, 2009 7:57 PM

http://speculativehermeneutics.blogspot.com

An hour and ten minutes after you posed this question, a closely related (though independent) post came up elsewhere on the internet:

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1886607,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

Interesting, hey?

jestrfyl

March 21, 2009 1:00 AM

Charles Schulz posited an answer to questions like this. Both Linus and Snoopy (in the title of a book he was writing) asked, "Has It Ever Occurred to You That You Might Be Wrong?" As soon as someone tells me in any form that they KNOW God's will, I assume they are full of themselves as well as an unhealthy balloon of hot air.

Hey, The Got'cha Security 'Skeeter is buzzed off. Hooray!

Kansas Bob

March 21, 2009 6:04 PM

Maybe it is a forest and trees sort of thing.. hard to see the big picture with all of those big trees (problems?) surrounding you.

Joanne

March 23, 2009 9:21 AM

What if it is all simpler than we make it. And what if God's will is the Kingdom. And what if, living the Kingdom vision is God's will and we get to do what we enjoy doing, what we do best, that is in sync with kingdom.

I don't think God's will is a dot. but a sphere of his will that is kingdom.

If we learn the kingdom, we might discover God's heart.

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Scot McKnight is a widely-recognized authority on the New Testament, early Christianity, and the historical Jesus. He is the Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois). A popular and witty speaker, Dr. McKnight has given interviews on radios across the nation, has appeared on television, and is regularly asked to speak in local churches and educational events. Dr. McKnight obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Nottingham (1986). Click to continue reading Scot McKnight's Bio...

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