Discern Part 3

 

Let me offer you another framework for discernment that might be helpful for the questions you are living.  These come from Nicky Gumbel.

 

Counsel of Saints ~ turn toward the wisdom of people who have offered you insight previously.  This could be a friend, a mentor, a coach, authors, pastor, or that voice outside yourself that both sees and values your questions.

Consulting Scripture ~ turn to the Psalms or Proverbs for ways that people of faith of sought to let God have a seat at the committee table discussing the decision to be made.

Use common Sense ~ God made you with a beautiful mind and heart and soul.  As you ponder the opportunities and options, which ones align with your mind, heart, and soul?  This might not be the easiest choice, but the trinity of you trusts God’s still speaking and creating presence.

Open to Compelling Spirit ~ this is the holy nudge of life or the tug of the heart toward a next right step.  There is beauty when these first four steps are in harmony, but you can also feel pushed toward a particular next step that doesn’t make linear, logical sense to your mind but does to your heart and soul.

Seek Coincidental Signs ~ if the compelling Spirit was the swirling within us, this is the work of the holy hummer and hovering around us.  I have heard of moments when a person makes a decision, shows up at a place, and meets someone who helps that person feel safe, seen, and soothed.  I would say that is a coincidence or God wink in your life. 

 

Take a moment to ponder which of the parts of the above process make sense.  Which parts stretch you in uncomfortable directions you’d prefer not to go?  What excites you?  What is missing above?  I hope yesterday and today, you worked through the prayer processes with your question to see what insights or ideas came forth.  Continue to live your questions, trusting that God is within you in the prayerful pondering.  Amen.