It's hard for me to keep from thinking about what comes next. I think that's always been true for me. It wasn't really a surprise to find the preacher on Sunday talking about how to discern God's guidance. That's the very thing I had been thinking about - and often what I've been thinking about shows up somewhere in the next worship service. When that happens, it's hard to ignore.
The preacher on Sunday used Acts 6:1-7 as his text. His question was: how do we know what God wants us to do next? He applied that question both to individuals and to churches. And the answer that he developed from the text was this: we can discern God's guidance through prayer and Scripture. He correctly pointed out that God speaks in other ways too, but he said that prayer and Scripture should be the test for everything that we do.
And he was right about that.
The preacher on Sunday used Acts 6:1-7 as his text. His question was: how do we know what God wants us to do next? He applied that question both to individuals and to churches. And the answer that he developed from the text was this: we can discern God's guidance through prayer and Scripture. He correctly pointed out that God speaks in other ways too, but he said that prayer and Scripture should be the test for everything that we do.
And he was right about that.
As this month of rest and renewal draws to a close, I've been thinking a lot about next steps. I can't remember a month in my life when I have prayed more or studied the Bible more. Honestly, that wasn't my plan when this vacation started; it just kind of happened. Or maybe that's what God had in mind - and it just took me a while to catch on. However it happened, it happened.
So with questions about future plans already on my mind, I walked into a worship service last Sunday and listened to a sermon that could have been prepared just for me. I love it when that happens.
The preacher spent most of his time developing the method for discerning God's guidance. He explained and illustrated some ways to use prayer and Scripture to sense God's direction. He then said that each person would have to use that method to figure out specific application. I was already trying to do that before I heard the sermon - and I've been working on that even more since.
So what's next?
Well, first, I sense that I have some things to work on. I tend to keep things to myself - even things that I care deeply about. And while I passionately believe that God can shape churches and lives on his own - and that he doesn't really need our help - I also believe that he plants convictions in our hearts for a reason. Being silent about those convictions carries a high price. So maybe it's time for me to be more honest and more open about the things I care most about: missions, church life, worship, relationships, spiritual maturity, integrity, love, grace, growth, the fruit of the Spirit. My desire to please people can keep me from being radically faithful - and that's not a good thing. I sense that God would have me work on that.
Second, I am excited about upcoming teaching opportunities. It dawned on me just yesterday that I am responsible for a number of teaching opportunities that start . . . next week! And here's my sense of where we should go with those studies. Our Tuesday men's Bible study will be working on Colossians, a great book that celebrates the exalted Christ and firmly anchors his ultimate victory to the cross. Christ's cross defines both his life and ours. Our Wednesday evening Bible study will move forward with 1 and 2 Kings. As I recall, we had just started 2 Kings as we ended our time together last spring - and we will resume our study at that point. In the Sunday Bible study that I teach, we'll be working through the book of Revelation. If you know me at all, you know that we won't give even a passing glance to dates or charts or secrets codes. Rather, we will celebrate this greatest work of hope ever written. And, just for the record, we'll continue our study of Ephesians for a few more weeks in our Sunday morning worship services - and then we'll begin a study of the Old Testament book of Malachi. The point of all of these studies is simply to put ourselves in a place where we might be able to hear what God wants to say to us. If we prayerfully submit to the authority of his word, we can be certain that he will speak to us.
Third, I simply have to find some ways to do some things differently. I had my annual physical this week. And it went well. But my doctor did talk with me about the danger of long-term stress. I half expected him to suggest that I find a new line of work. He didn't say that, of course. Nevertheless, he got my attention. He gave me the same counsel that I've given to hundreds of people over the years. But it's the first time I've personally heard that kind of counsel from a professional. I've always been impressed by people who sacrificially give their all - but I have come to believe that we should do our sacrificing in ways that honor God. I'm trying to figure that out for myself. Not every sacrifice is pleasing to God.
The preacher ended his message on Sunday emphasizing the joy and hope of knowing that God already has a plan for what comes next. And we can be confident because God can make that plan completely clear to us.
Our job is to pray and study the Bible. Then our job is to listen and obey.
That's not just the next step. That's the first next step.
So with questions about future plans already on my mind, I walked into a worship service last Sunday and listened to a sermon that could have been prepared just for me. I love it when that happens.
The preacher spent most of his time developing the method for discerning God's guidance. He explained and illustrated some ways to use prayer and Scripture to sense God's direction. He then said that each person would have to use that method to figure out specific application. I was already trying to do that before I heard the sermon - and I've been working on that even more since.
So what's next?
Well, first, I sense that I have some things to work on. I tend to keep things to myself - even things that I care deeply about. And while I passionately believe that God can shape churches and lives on his own - and that he doesn't really need our help - I also believe that he plants convictions in our hearts for a reason. Being silent about those convictions carries a high price. So maybe it's time for me to be more honest and more open about the things I care most about: missions, church life, worship, relationships, spiritual maturity, integrity, love, grace, growth, the fruit of the Spirit. My desire to please people can keep me from being radically faithful - and that's not a good thing. I sense that God would have me work on that.
Second, I am excited about upcoming teaching opportunities. It dawned on me just yesterday that I am responsible for a number of teaching opportunities that start . . . next week! And here's my sense of where we should go with those studies. Our Tuesday men's Bible study will be working on Colossians, a great book that celebrates the exalted Christ and firmly anchors his ultimate victory to the cross. Christ's cross defines both his life and ours. Our Wednesday evening Bible study will move forward with 1 and 2 Kings. As I recall, we had just started 2 Kings as we ended our time together last spring - and we will resume our study at that point. In the Sunday Bible study that I teach, we'll be working through the book of Revelation. If you know me at all, you know that we won't give even a passing glance to dates or charts or secrets codes. Rather, we will celebrate this greatest work of hope ever written. And, just for the record, we'll continue our study of Ephesians for a few more weeks in our Sunday morning worship services - and then we'll begin a study of the Old Testament book of Malachi. The point of all of these studies is simply to put ourselves in a place where we might be able to hear what God wants to say to us. If we prayerfully submit to the authority of his word, we can be certain that he will speak to us.
Third, I simply have to find some ways to do some things differently. I had my annual physical this week. And it went well. But my doctor did talk with me about the danger of long-term stress. I half expected him to suggest that I find a new line of work. He didn't say that, of course. Nevertheless, he got my attention. He gave me the same counsel that I've given to hundreds of people over the years. But it's the first time I've personally heard that kind of counsel from a professional. I've always been impressed by people who sacrificially give their all - but I have come to believe that we should do our sacrificing in ways that honor God. I'm trying to figure that out for myself. Not every sacrifice is pleasing to God.
The preacher ended his message on Sunday emphasizing the joy and hope of knowing that God already has a plan for what comes next. And we can be confident because God can make that plan completely clear to us.
Our job is to pray and study the Bible. Then our job is to listen and obey.
That's not just the next step. That's the first next step.