Jeremiah 10:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)
O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life].
Living like a believer means that we don’t have to live according to our own wisdom, reason and ability to make decisions. Scripture actually shows us that we were not created to live independently from God and community and that we don’t have the ability in us to direct our own lives. It is wise to seek out wisdom from those who are spiritually mature (like church leaders) (Proverbs 15:22) but we should always be firstly seeking wisdom from God. He is wiser than we are and cleverer than all of us put together! It’s wise to consult God in making decisions but we shouldn’t merely be consulting God. God is the best consultant we could ever find but He is also our Father and friend. Your relationship with Him should be more than you just seeking out His wisdom so that you can be successful. Praise God that He’s dealing with us in grace, and so if you’re only seeking Him for His wisdom, He won’t get offended and ignore you but we’re missing out on a greater blessing if we’re only interested in His guidance and neglect relationship.
Matthew 6:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
The way things are in heaven right now is the way God desires it to be here on earth now. In heaven, right now, there is much more relationship with God going on than consulting God on issues like “what job should I take?”, “where should I live?” or “how do I do this or that?” God doesn’t desire employees or servants who merely obey His every instruction, He desires sons and daughters with whom He can enjoy eternity with. I have heard some Christians ask questions like, “what are we going to do in heaven for eternity?” They are focused more on doing than on being. They get uncomfortable with the idea of intimacy with God and enjoying Him for eternity. Part of the reason for that is that they are so busy doing and not being in this life and they are relating to God more as Father-consultant (my wisdom for life and success) rather than my Father and Friend (someone I can share my heart with).
I’m not saying don’t consult God when you need to make decisions; consulting God is the wise and it will set you up for success if you follow His instruction. I am just saying that you shouldn’t neglect the greater blessing available to you: relationship with Him!
Isaiah 55:8-9 New King James Version (NKJV)
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
God’s way is a highway to help you get to your destination (destiny) faster than your way would. Consulting God and following His instruction is the wisest thing you could ever do. God knows the beginning from the end. When we lean on our own understanding, logic and reason we’re in a place of uncertainty and even danger, but God is the most reliable source of wisdom and instruction. One word from God can radically change your life forever and set you up for success!
Proverbs 3:5-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
If you are not currently in a situation where you need a word from God, you will be. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where nothing makes sense and we have to make big decisions. If we lean on our own wisdom and reasoning, or even on natural wisdom and reasoning, we are taking a risk. Things may work out, but they also may not work out. When we step out in faith on a word from God it may feel risky but it’s not – it’s surer than anything else! In those moments when we feel the pressure because we have to make a weighty decision, we may find hearing God’s voice challenging. It’s still possible, but the pressure we feel often makes it difficult because we are struggling to “be still” and hear from God (Psalm 46:10). In these moments if feels like we have a million voices attacking us: the voices (opinions) of everyone around us, the voice of opportunity, our own voice and thoughts, the enemy’s voice and then there’s God’s voice. Money also talks, as they say, and so then we have money trying to lead us in its own direction. God’s voice is the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13) which is often drowned out by the others which are usually loud and aggressive.
The more you seek to grow in relationship and intimacy with God the more you learn to discern His voice and the easier it is to hear Him in those moments of pressure and chaos. We learn to hear from God for the big decisions by seeking to hear from Him in everyday life. For example, “Hey God, which supermarket should I go to, today?” You’re probably thinking that asking God something like this is too trivial. Maybe God knows of discounts at a certain supermarket that you are unaware of? Maybe God knows of someone at a certain supermarket that He wants you to “bump into”? There may be a divine appointment and opportunity waiting for you in a seemingly insignificant decision. When you learn to make little decisions with God, you are setting yourself to make bigger decisions with Him more easily. If you cannot lift 10Kgs you surely cannot lift 15kgs. Be faithful in the little and you’ll set yourself up to be trusted with more.