How Do You Know?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 10:30AM 
Greetings Faithful Readers,
Yesterday I wrote about banging on a wall trying to turn it into a door... pushing hard to do something that was not God's will for your life. The question I get all the time is "How do you know?" When is it time to throw in the towel and when is the time to stick it out? How do I know something I want to do is from God?" I thought about it and want to give you my filter that may help you...
1) Is what I want contradictory to scripture? If it is...it's not from God.
2) Has God gifted me with the ability to do it? I know a lot of people who really want to teach...or sing...or start a church...or whatever... and they just don't have that high level of giftedness needed to make it happen. It's important to qualify that by saying that you can learn those skills...but it's been my experience that most people who have "it" were born with "it."
The problem with this concept is that many of us think we're better at something than we really are. Honestly evaluate your abilities against your passions. At some point, that Venn diagram of your life will show you exactly where your giftedness, passion, ability, and opportunity all intersect. Then go after it with the fervor it deserves.
3) Why do I want to do it..for my glory or God's? I always check my motive in wanting to start something. Many times I find that the applause I want is from those around me and not from God. When that's the case...I can bang on the wall all I want. God's not turning it into a door.
4) Has what I want to start been confirmed by my accountability team? What? You don't have a group of trusted, Christ-following friends or family to run your initiatives through? You need one. All of your own ideas will sound good to you in your own head. They all sound God-led. They all feel like you MUST do them to be fulfilled... Instead, I suggest that you gather your closest truth-telling buddies and run it past them. I'm not saying it's the only criteria... but I've found that many of the "God is telling me to do this" moments in my life simply aren't...and my real friends will tell me that based on what they see in and around me. I believe God can confirm (or contradict) my intentions through my Christian friends.
Bottom Line: Don't stay in neutral. If your passion, calling, and giftedness all line up - go for it! The Kingdom is too full of people afraid to jump in and trust God. If you find that the desire in your heart isn't quite what you're cut out for (be honest!) then find something that you ARE qualified for and dive in. In either case...move...get out there and make a difference. God has given you gifts and there are so many places to use them.. What would the world be like if we all applied what God put in us?
I'm going to do some more thinking on this, but that's it for now. It's a tough question to be sure...but one that I believe deserves more than a "just pray about it" response. Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your thoughts or stories...
BV
Reader Comments (3)
This is one my favorite posts from your blog! I am always pondering about this. It is so difficult to make a desicion solely based on your talents and where you may be thinking you should be. This past year has been huge for me in those terms. I feel like God has been leading the way but at the same time I have the feeling that he has something bigger planned for me, that where I am is not the ultimate place. I am learning a lot here and preparing myself for the next step. I pray every day that He shows me the path, I pray for His whispers on my ear, to hear them clearer, I pray so He can make me stronger and then I can scream louder "Just Bring it On!".
Awesome post Pastor B! This might seem a bit simple, but what I do is I ask God - is this what I want or is this what You want? Then I ask Him again. And again! Most importantly - I try to listen to Him and not let my own desires trick me. I find that being honest with myself is the key. I also agree whole heartedly with bouncing what I think is God's will off of my most trusted Christ following friends. Great advice Pastor B....
absolutely amazing!!! very clear & easy to understand!