Romans Chapter 12 cont'd
Don't let the value system of fallen humanity mold or dictate your life or lifestyle. Rather, cooperate with God's agenda to transform you through the spiritual renewal of your thinking, so that you may be able to discern the will of God which is truly good, always acceptable and entirely perfect.
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The most common question(s) that has come my way as a spiritual director is: How can I know God's will?...or sometimes...How can I hear God's voice to guide me? This is a wonderful question for each of us to ponder long and hard. Deep within the renewed heart of a Christ-follower is a dominant desire to know God better, to please him and to fulfill his plan for her/his life. There are many facets to the answer to such a question. There are also a lot of misconceptions in the minds of many dedicated believers regarding their expectations about being guided into the Father's will. An implication of the above passage exposes one of these misconceptions.
First, it is important to note that being guided begins with a generalized consecration of our entire being and life under the Lordship of Jesus...before we know the specifics of what God's plans for us might be. Second, we are called to find the courage to think and live and choose "outside the boxes" that our earthly cultures have prepared to slowly squeeze us into...to use us and keep us under it's sway. Third...as this passage makes clear...we come to know the will of God...most normally...by an internalized process, rather than by input from a over-powering external source...like a robot that mechanically reacts to its user's inputs. Spiritual guidance in the disciple's life is more of an art than a science...living out an unfolding colorful drama verses receiving a computerized printout of a comprehensive blueprint...a gracious and rhythmic "dance with our Guide" in contrast to a "goose-step march" to orders barked out by a militant dictator. Spiritual guidance, most often, integrates both divine inspirations and human faculties within its processes.
A vital lesson in New Covenant spirituality is embedded in the story of Elijah's discovery that the LORD was not "in" the whirlwind, the earthquake or the fire. Instead he came to Elijah in the "still small voice"...or within...the "sound of silence".
Because there is such a thing as a genuine experience of hearing the voice of God "from beyond", many believers imagine that, if they were really spiritually mature and truly intimate with God, then this would be the "normal way" that they would be guided by him and land on his specific will for their lives. But this assumption has become the source for confusion, disillusionment, frustration, self-condemnation...and even deception...for too many disciples.
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