Led through Discernment – Morning Devotions – From the Edges

From the Edges – Morning Devotional
Pastor Calvin Cook – June 10, 2024
Led through Discernment

Scripture focus – Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

My attention is being drawn to discernment. Honestly for the last several months even years I have tried to allow Spiritual Discernment to guide me, decisions I make, leadings I follow so that I might be working every day into the fullness of the Lord. I acknowledge at times I feel great success and assurance of God’s will being lived out. At other times I must confess that I have allowed distractions, situations, negativity, and worldly conditions to guide me.

I remember a time being at a very large function. If I remember correctly, it was at a Wedding Reception. Everyone had gathered with the purpose of celebrating the great event of the new marriage that had taken place. Everyone was centered on celebration and customs of this celebration except for the children. The many children that were there were really bored. Parents, grandparents and others were trying to seek ways to entertain them. One child I remember was about 2-3 years old. The child would hold the hands of the parent or grand parent and lead them around the large space in various directions. Every once in a while, the child would desire to go in a direction or to a place that the parent did not desire to go. As the parent would try to change the course of direction or bring the child back to their table, the child would become very angry and throw a fit, scream and cry, because the plans of the child and the desired destiny was halted. Does this not describe us? We in our relationship with God are good, happy, joyous as long as we are going, receiving, and being allowed to go and do whatever we desire. But the minute God through the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit throws the breaks on we become upset, distraught, because we didn’t get our way. What part of Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you” do we not understand.

In the meantime, as I have had these thoughts and prayerfully and privately many times discerned next steps, I have been drawn back to the realization that I set out on my own trying to lead God to the place that I desire God to take me. Without consideration of where God desires me to go and more importantly what God desires me to do and how God desires me to follow. This is not just in my role as the Pastor, but as a person, a husband, a friend, a businessman, and everything else that shapes me into the person I am.

1 Corinthians 12:10 – the gifts of the Holy Spirit are outlined, here is how the Passion translation of the Bible describes the gift of discernment “And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking”. This reference would help us to realize that this powerful gift of discernment is to guide us and direct us but more importantly to distinguish between that the Holy Spirit is speaking into us or directing us to. Or if it is an evil spirit that is working hard to distract us from the cause of Christ.

Picture today that child at the reception. Are you like that child? Are you off on your own direction accompanied by God or are you being led by the Spirit. Are you discerning between what God wants and what you want the Spirit to supply. Are you in a direction that leads you to what God has desired for you or are you off on your own. It really does come down to an understanding of discernment and submission to prayer and then receiving all that God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit desires for you……..