Divine Direction: Discerning the Voice of God in a Data-Driven World预览

A Way That Seems Right

"There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is a path to death." Prov. 14:12 CEB

When we are not guided by God, we become susceptible to errors and wrong decisions. The goal of life is not to live it so cautiously that we avoid making mistakes, but as we age and as we walk with God, we minimize our regrets. It is said, "Regret is insight coming a day too late." Just because something feels good doesn't mean it's God.

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. All these decisions may have seemed right at the time, but time reveals their folly. True wisdom is tested through time.

The Bible is true not only because it's the Word of God but also because it has passed the test of time; from ages to ages, from generation to generation, it never changes, no revised edition. Philosophers come and go. Polymath and intellectuals will all come and go, but His word remains. Ever true and ever faithful.

It seems right for the prodigal son to prematurely ask for his inheritance, but in the end, he has to feed with pigs to survive until he comes to his senses and returns home. The beauty of the story is that his father was daily and eagerly waiting for his return, just as God is always and eagerly waiting for us to return to His arms when we go astray or take wrong turns.

Our minds sometimes contend with God's leading, especially when it defies logic. That something feels right does not necessarily mean it has God's approval. Feelings are fickle; they can't always be trusted.

There will be times in our lives when we are so convinced about a decision; it seems right at the time, and we've done our due diligence in seeking advice, yet, in the end, it doesn't work out as planned, which then begs the question, does God deliberately allow us to fall or fail to teach us a lesson? No. We have the power of free will, which God does not infringe on, but there are so many factors responsible for the successful outcomes of our choices, which are not within our control.

The world is an imperfect place, and human nature is very complex. It is not a consistent pattern of God to bend people's will or control individuals' minds for our personal or individual benefit.

Both good and evil have to coexist. God could have changed the mind of Judas betraying Jesus, but he didn't. Jesus had to die for our redemption, and someone had to facilitate it. God's agenda was hidden in the devil's character (His ability to kill, steal and destroy). So, unbeknown to the devil, while he was busy plotting the death of Jesus, he was at the same time unconsciously fulfilling the will of God for his son. It was checkmate on the cross when Jesus died. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it for good.

We sometimes cannot undo our wrongs. Beloved, divine guidance is imperative to a functional Christian life.

In the absence of divine direction, many things often look right at the beginning: a social activity, a hire, an investment, a relationship or marriage, a relocation or a career path, to name a few, but given enough time, those gaps are exposed. Time test everything.

Submit to God's leading and let him guide you.