When I was in college I had to read a book called "The Great Omission" by Dallas Willard. In the book he talks about how there aren't "disciples" of Jesus. That in this day of information we go to the internet instead of going to Christ for help. He says that, "In our culture, and among Christians as well, Jesus Christ is automatically disassociated from brilliance or intellectual capacity. Not one in a thousand will spontaneously think of him in conjunction with words such as "well informed," "brilliant" or "smart." He goes on to say, "But can we seriously imagine that Jesus could be Lord if he were not smart? If he were divine, would he be dumb?"
I had a major problem with this part of the book, because I had no idea where he was coming from. So I asked my friends at the time who they thought were the wisest/smartest people to walk the earth, and after some digging around on Facebook, I found their answers. A lot of people had said that Jesus was both the smartest and wisest person. Others said that Einstein, or Aristotle had been the Smartest and King Solomon the wisest; but that's beside the point.
I am saying all that to say, Jesus is the smartest and wisest person to walk on the earth, because, well He created it. :-) The creature isn't smarter than the Master is he?
So why is it that we, (me and you) hardly ever go to Him for advice? On the Race, and then in Nicaragua this Summer, we asked the Lord about anything and everything. We asked Him what road we should go down on, where to go for ministry, what we should do that day, who we should take to. And He responded and we saw some crazy things happen. People being lost, and praying their way to their location. We prayed which way to go and that led us to meeting new friends.
Then I come home, and everything changes. I begin to rely on my own understanding instead of His. I start to ask my friends and family for advice, and not Jesus- who knows what is best for me.(I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask your friends, the Holy Spirit works through them. I just think you should ask the Lord first and see it confirmed through what your friends say.) I mean, I got all caught up in going places that I hadn't even asked the Lord if I SHOULD go, that's why I'm not in Thailand right now. I didn't have a peace about going, because I hadn't sought the Lord, it was my wish to go not His. Even though sometimes I am discouraged by the decision I made, I see why the Lord has called me home for this season in my life.
The other day I was lost and I felt the Spirit tell me to stop and pray for directions, even though I had experienced His guidance before, I didn't have the faith to ask, and I just gave up and went home. What a missed opportunity to see the Spirit work.
This is an awkward time in my life. I need the Lord for all kinds of advice! Not only to ask Him the big stuff like, "Where should I live? What should I drive? Should I volunteer at this place or that one? How much money should I give to this charity? Where to go on a mission trip? If I should go at this time? Who should I date? If I should date?"
I also need Him for the little things. "What should I read today? Who needs prayer? Do I need to call someone and check up on them? I have a few minutes before I have to be at work, how will they be most glorifying to You, Lord?" I want to be led by the Spirit in everything I do.
That is what I've been learning the past few months. How important it is to really ask the Lord before I make any decision no matter how big or small. He delights in that. We are His children after all. What good father when his child comes to him for advice says, "go away, you're bothering me" or "I don't know" or " I don't care." No good father says that. God, the Father who is infinitely good wouldn't say that either. He is delighted when His children come to Him for advice.
So this is my challenge to you, whoever you are. Ask the Lord, or ATL as the cool kids call it; and be amazed.
I had a major problem with this part of the book, because I had no idea where he was coming from. So I asked my friends at the time who they thought were the wisest/smartest people to walk the earth, and after some digging around on Facebook, I found their answers. A lot of people had said that Jesus was both the smartest and wisest person. Others said that Einstein, or Aristotle had been the Smartest and King Solomon the wisest; but that's beside the point.
I am saying all that to say, Jesus is the smartest and wisest person to walk on the earth, because, well He created it. :-) The creature isn't smarter than the Master is he?
So why is it that we, (me and you) hardly ever go to Him for advice? On the Race, and then in Nicaragua this Summer, we asked the Lord about anything and everything. We asked Him what road we should go down on, where to go for ministry, what we should do that day, who we should take to. And He responded and we saw some crazy things happen. People being lost, and praying their way to their location. We prayed which way to go and that led us to meeting new friends.
Then I come home, and everything changes. I begin to rely on my own understanding instead of His. I start to ask my friends and family for advice, and not Jesus- who knows what is best for me.(I'm not saying that you shouldn't ask your friends, the Holy Spirit works through them. I just think you should ask the Lord first and see it confirmed through what your friends say.) I mean, I got all caught up in going places that I hadn't even asked the Lord if I SHOULD go, that's why I'm not in Thailand right now. I didn't have a peace about going, because I hadn't sought the Lord, it was my wish to go not His. Even though sometimes I am discouraged by the decision I made, I see why the Lord has called me home for this season in my life.
The other day I was lost and I felt the Spirit tell me to stop and pray for directions, even though I had experienced His guidance before, I didn't have the faith to ask, and I just gave up and went home. What a missed opportunity to see the Spirit work.
This is an awkward time in my life. I need the Lord for all kinds of advice! Not only to ask Him the big stuff like, "Where should I live? What should I drive? Should I volunteer at this place or that one? How much money should I give to this charity? Where to go on a mission trip? If I should go at this time? Who should I date? If I should date?"
I also need Him for the little things. "What should I read today? Who needs prayer? Do I need to call someone and check up on them? I have a few minutes before I have to be at work, how will they be most glorifying to You, Lord?" I want to be led by the Spirit in everything I do.
That is what I've been learning the past few months. How important it is to really ask the Lord before I make any decision no matter how big or small. He delights in that. We are His children after all. What good father when his child comes to him for advice says, "go away, you're bothering me" or "I don't know" or " I don't care." No good father says that. God, the Father who is infinitely good wouldn't say that either. He is delighted when His children come to Him for advice.
So this is my challenge to you, whoever you are. Ask the Lord, or ATL as the cool kids call it; and be amazed.
