The number one question I hear from the folks that write, call, text or seek counsel from me is “WHAT SHOULD I DO, OR WHERE SHOULD I GO?
This article has been written as part of the 1st30. A series designed for college freshmen, and regular folks like me and you!
I’m more confident than ever that the Divine doesn’t play hide and seek with His design and destination for your life. The challenge seems to be in the hearing AND answering His voice. Before you check out on me, know this. What I am writing about is written from a first-hand experience.
I recall Terry Herald asking me if I had ever considered serving the local church in vocational ministry. Terry was instrumental in my journey. It’s funny as I look back on it. He saw in me what I had not seen in the mirror. The next thing I knew, I was sitting with a Personnel Team considering a role as one of the staff members at a large church. My first answer was NO THANKS!
I couldn’t imagine making a salary that low. I was told to pray about the offer and the truth is, that I never did. I simply said no. That’s when I started a journey that I do not want to replay. I began a journey that was ridiculously similar to Jonah’s journey.
Jonah was told by the Divine to go to the godless city of Ninevah and preach the message of the Holy God of Israel. Like me, he said, no thanks! So, he caught a boat going the opposite way. You know the story. The storms came, the boat was sinking, the lives of Jonah, the sailors on his boat and the other boats on the sea were in dire need of the storm to cease.
I didn’t experience a storm on a sea. I experienced a storm of financial, relational and familial disaster. Everything I touched lost money when they had been such great deals before “NO.” I had relationships fall off the boat and had family challenges that felt as though the waves were drowning me. I was experiencing the storms from inactive obedience.
I knew at the age of 15 that I was to serve the church and surrender my life to the Gospel Ministry. But my goals were all financial. I wanted money and I sought after fame. For a season, the Lord allowed my disobedience. Time after time He sent warning shots across my bow, only for me to ignore them…or worse, head in the opposite direction – sound familiar?
Here is the lesson. You can determine what it might mean in your life.
The calling of the Divine is no greater to vocational ministry than it is to real estate, law, military or insurance. You see, I was knowledgeable about what I was supposed to do, but I delayed in the response that He demanded. He was requiring Active Obedience from me!
Like Jonah, I tried to throw off the extra weight, blame something else or hide from the Divine. And, like Jonah, I failed miserably. Jonah finally said, “it’s me.” I was in a position that demanded change and like Jonah, I said Lord, it’s me. I’m sorry.”
You see, Partial Obedience or Delayed Obedience is Total Disobedience.
You can be sure that total disobedience will lead to heartache, sorrow, and failure. I experienced all of that first-hand. The good news is that upon my answering the direction of the Divine, He wrapped His arms around me and warmed my soul with the affection of the perfect loving Heavenly Father.
If you are wondering where to go, or what to do, here are four steps to help you avoid the “Jonah Syndrome.” I would have definitely obeyed the first time looking back all those years ago.
- Don’t just pray – hush and listen. The voice of the Divine is Waterford Crystal clear when we spend the right amount of time with Him.
- Seek Godly counsel that has nothing to gain from your decision and prayers.
- Build a Christ-honoring routine into your daily life. When we experience Scripture, prayer, gratitude, and quietude within our daily routine we are prone to hear and respond to the Direction of the Divine!
- Don’t walk timidly into the direction of the Divine, run boldly. I’ll guarantee you that He will be cheering you on!
The end of Jonah’s story is that he turned around after spending a few days in the Big Fish Hotel and ran to Ninevah, where every person in the city turned to God. In my case, I’ve been part of some of the most amazing things since turning around and running to God. I am still prone to wander, as the old hymn states, but I am quick to return. And when I do, He is always there, with a fresh direction and endless grace.
Seek the GPS of the Divine Today!
–AChuck
This article has been written as part of the 1st30. A series designed for college freshmen, and regular folks like me and you!
