This question has been plaguing me for some time now. When I talk to great men and women of faith and hear of the clarity with which God speaks to them, guides them with what seems to be an iron clad control, I can't help but feel a bit jealous. It is different for those of us who espouse the openness of God. We believe that God knows all that is possible for him to know, which of course leaves out the future. As we have free will, the future cannot possibly exist without it being decided and thus exempting free will. What is left is the God who has determined what he will do in the future, leaving open the idea that he might change his mind or the possibility of folks standing in the way of that will. Thus, God in his choiced goodness, gives us direction that can be altered by our choice or others.That is where we stand today, trying to discern what God might have for us, knowing that he might have a choice between two or more valid options. How do we as Open Theists pray for God's will and at the same time feel honored by his redemption of bad situations and recognize his deliverance of us from situations gone bad? I have asked for clarity, peace, and always sought God's will. This has meant, for me, giving up things that I would have loved to do, such as the academy, for something that I have grown to love, pastoring. Now, I wouldn't trade pastoring for anything. However, we stand at a crossroads and I have no guitar and there is no devil there to whom I can trade my soul for guitar playing skills (nor would I want to, I just wanted to point out that I have mundane knowledge of Robert Johnson and his bluesy mythology).
What we really need is focus and clarity. We are praying that God's will be done. Please pray with and for us.
2 comments:
As always brother I am praying for you. May God direct you into the best possibility for you and Julia and in that move may you engage others with the good news. Remember your friends who loved you even when you were poor. Vegas here we come. I love ya buddy. God bless
Hey man/woman(!)...I hear ya. My mom find great comfort in praying for God's will believing that there is a will out there that will be revelaed to us. I share your quest and am walking with you through this forest of decisions. It is my prayer that your heart will be content wherever you find yourselves. And that you may find a place where you belong, where your heart can feel at home, and where your life can be fulfilled. Peace.
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