Guidance - Pt.4

As we continue with this little series on the important subject of guidance in our individual lives, I wish to share with you three means of guidance that are, effectively, available only to the true disciple of Jesus. I say "effectively" because, of course, some of them are used by even previously-proclaimed "atheists" and agnostics - but, in their cases, they are not of any real effect!

The first of these additional means of guidance is, not surprisingly, prayer. Some may remember the words from the old hymn: "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." Now that word "everything" includes matters on which we require guidance. So, when I have an important decision to make, I take it to the Lord in prayer. "Am I to go to Bible College, Lord?" "Is this girl the one whom you have chosen to be my wife?" "Do you really want us to move to France, and live there?" And He guides - sometimes giving me the answer even as I pray; more usually, making use of one, or more, of the other methods we are considering.

Another means of guidance is, of course, the Bible - God's written Word to humanity. It is through it that He speaks to us all concerning our sinful state, and His great plan of salvation in Jesus. But He only speaks to us through it as we become familiar with it! There is little point in asking the Father for guidance on a particular matter by lifting a dusty copy of the Bible from a shelf; closing your eyes; opening it at random; and stabbing your finger down on the page! The story is told of one man who did just that and, when he opened his eyes, found that his finger was right on top of Matt.27:5 where are recorded the words concerning Judas Iscariot: "he went out and hanged himself." This, quite obviously, was not good guidance; God wasn't "on form" today! So he tried again - only to find that, this time, his finger rested on Luke 10:37 where we read  Jesus' words to a certain lawyer: "Go, and do likewise"!

But often, when we are sincere in our reading, and study, of God's Word, He speaks clearly to us through it. "Nobody", it has been said, "can read the Bible devoutly, and not learn much about God, about himself, and about his fellows. Nobody who seriously seeks divine guidance, can neglect this most rich and sure way to it."

The third means of guidance which is especially for the disciple of Jesus - while not denied to the unbeliever - is the Christian Fellowship. I may have a particular fault of which I am, genuinely, unaware. But if I am part of a vital Christian fellowship, then there will be those who, in love - and that is extremely important! - will gently point out that fault to me.

Or it may be a call to a particular area of service that comes through the need of the fellowship, and to which I am introduced more easily because of the support of the fellowship. Or, again, it may be confirmation, or otherwise, of guidance that I bellieve I have received by another means. In the "Book of Discipline" of the Society of Friends (better known to some as the Quakers) are these wise words:

"Inward guidance does not mean unchecked individualism, for the follower of the light will be continually correcting his first perception of it by a fuller experience, and by that of others who have followed it more faithfully." Often it is the fellowship that is able to help me to distinguish the true voice of God from the murmurs of vanity and self-will!

Sometimes, it is just one person who brings a word from the Lord. I have certainly experienced that! It was in 1982. Friends of long standing were coming to visit my wife and me. The husband, I knew, had a strong prophetic ministry (remember that prophecy is, more often, forthtelling than foretelling!) and, during the day, I had a very real sense that he was going to bring a word from the Lord for me. As soon as he and his wife arrived, I asked him if he did, indeed, have a word for me. I confess to having been very disappointed when he answered in the negative.

After our meal, the four of us were sitting chatting, as friends do. Suddenly, Ray said, "Brian, you asked me if I had a word from the Lord for you. My answer was true - but it wasn't the whole truth. What He had said was that He would, in the course of the evening, give me a word for you. I believe that I now have it." "Okay," I responded, "so let me have it!" "It is," said Ray, "a bit of a hand-grenade!" "That's okay", I replied, "I can handle it." I had no idea as to what was coming. I should also explain that, although I was no longer in a full-time pastoral ministry, I was preaching regularly for a number of local fellowships - and greatly enjoying doing so. Ray looked at me, and said, "The Lord says that you have to give up your preaching ministry."

This was, some will recall, the year of the Falklands Conflict. I looked at Ray. "That," I said, "is no hand-grenade. That is an Exocet missile!" 

However, suddenly, preaching invitations dried up. I was struggling with this whole idea. I knew (and know!) that I was no Wesley, or Spurgeon; no Peter, or Paul. But I also knew that my messages were always grounded firmly on the Word of God, and that my ministry was usually acceptable. What could I do? 

One night as I was preparing to go to bed, my wife suddenly asked me what I was doing about Ray's word. I told her that I was struggling , "But," I said, "that verse from the hymn keeps going through my head « But we never shall know the delights of His love, until all on the altar we lay. For the favour He shows, and the joy He bestows, are for those who will trust and obey. ». And," I continued, "that word « all » is in giant fiery letters!" I think that it was that night that I did finally surrender my preaching ministry. I simply said that I didn't honestly know if I was saying the words with my heart, or only with my mind, but that if that was what He wanted, I would never preach again.

That was forty years ago - but within a week, the 'phone started ringing again with preaching invitations. I have been preaching fairly regularly ever since - mostly, at this time, in French! I often think of that particular episode in my life as my "Abraham, Mt Moriah, experience" (read Gen.22:1-13).

Guidance - available in so many different ways. Are you seeking that guidance today?

Next week, DV, we will look at how we may test the guidance that we believe we have received!