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Discernment

Making Decisions by Recognizing and Responding to the Presence of God

Scripture
“The will of God is manifest deep within where the Spirit dwells and bears witness with our spirit about things that are true.”

-Romans 8:16

Message

We are accustomed to making decisions within the framework of circumstances, advice of friends, wisdom contained from our experiences, teachings and faith traditions.  Discernment requires us to notice our inner dynamics as well (desire, calling, desolation, consolation) all clues to whether the choice we are considering will nurture life in us. 

What is discernment? A quality of attentiveness to God so that over time we develop an intuitive sense of Gods’ heart and purpose in any given moment

Why? So that we can align ourselves more completely with God’s purposes

How? Practice until it becomes a habit – it cannot be forced, but we can find ways to open ourselves up to it.

What is needed?

• Three crucial beliefs: in the goodness of God; that love is our primary calling; and that God does communicate with us through the Holy Spirit that is given to help us know the demands of love in our situation

• An understanding of consolation/desolation: noticing those times when we were enlivened by the Spirit’s life-giving energy within or those times when we felt drained of life in some way

• Gaining indifference: undue attachment to any particular outcome, relinquishing whatever might keep you from choosing for love. Getting to the place where you want God and His will more than anything (ego gratification, looking good in the eyes of others, personal ownership/comfort/ or advantage).

• A few moments of solitude

Outcome: The Holy Spirit in the midst of your daily experience means that God’s will is continuing to be revealed as it is needed and as you are able to hear it and respond to it.

Take a few moments in your solitude time and in the Presence of God to ask yourself the following questions about a decision you are contemplating:

How does this choice fit with the overall direction and calling of God on my life?

Is there one word that captures my sense of calling these days?

Which choice brings the deepest sense of life, inner peace and freedom?

Is there a growing sense of wholeness, authenticity, congruence with who I am in God?

Is there a particular Scripture that God is bringing to me relative to this choice?

Is this choice consistent with what I know of the mind and heart of Christ and His redemptive purposes in the world?

How will this direction nurture the fruit of love in me?

Does this choice reflect the value of what is eternal and permanent and holds the deepest value rather than what is transient and impermanent?

How does this choice fit with others’ observations of who I am and what God is doing in my life?

On my deathbed, which choice would I wish I had made?