Learning Discernment

Of Prudence In Action

            "We must not trust every word of others or every feeling within ourselves, but must cautiously and patiently try each matter, whether it is of God.  Sadly, we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others than good.  But those who are perfect do not believe every word of gossip, for they know [hu]man's weakness, that it is prone to evil.
            This is great wisdom: to not be hasty in action or stubborn in our own opinions.  A part of this wisdom also is not to believe every word we hear, nor to tell others all that we hear, even though we believe it.  Take counsel with a [hu]man who is wise and has a good conscience, and seek to be instructed by one better than yourself, rather than to follow your own ideas.  A good life makes a [hu]man wise in God's eyes and gives them experience in many things.  The more humble a [hu]man is in theirself, and the more obedient toward God, the wiser will they be in all things, and the more will their soul be at peace."

The Imitation of Christ - Thomas à Kempis

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

Do you believe in God the Father?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

Excerpted from Order for Holy Baptism  - Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Observation:

Why does it seem so difficult to discern God's will for our lives and to walk in it?

Today, à Kempis helps me to see that I too often rely upon my gut instincts, heart longings, and head knowledge in order to speedily navigate the myriad choices and decisions I am faced with daily.  At once, this causes me to isolate myself from God and neighbour; both of whom are essential helpers in the pursuit of wise discernment.

Today's reading has me revisiting the three big "no's" [renunciations] and the three big "yes'" [affirmations] of baptism into Christ Jesus.

Will my choices reveal an obedience to the destroyer? 

Or, will I trust in God the Creator?

Will my actions reveal an allegiance to powers of this world that rebel?

Or, will I trust in Christ, whose obedience is the source of our redemption?

Will my decisions reveal an obedience to the ways of this self that isolate?

Or, will I trust in the Spirit, who Sanctifies through inter-connection?

Application:

Today I hear two clear invitations:

1)  "Go ahead and slow down."  I feel a prompting to do less at a slower pace in order to focus on the quality of discernment that proceeds a given decision or action.

2) "Go ahead and ask for help." I feel a longing to learn discernment through imitation of faithful mentors who "are better than myself" rather than by trying to learn a bunch of information about discernment and then trying to (innovate) figure out how to apply it in my own situation.

What about you?  Do these words seem like they have their source in our Father who loves us continuously and well:

"Go ahead and slow down."

"Go ahead and ask for help."

Or, perhaps the Lord has another word for you today ...

Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

Enliven our minds.

Embolden our hearts.

Extinguish our stubborn selfishness.

Come, Holy Spirit, Come.

Teach us to rest in You so that we can move with You.

Amen.