God of Choice Part 2

God is one who values and promotes choice rather than control.

So, we continue to fall down this rabbit hole with a follow-up piece.  If you missed part one check it out here.

Over the last few years my interaction with God has shifted dramatically in a handful of areas.  One of those is when a decision needs to be made.   I’ve often wondered why it’s so hard to hear God in these situations.  Something needs to be done but I don’t know what path to take.  Hey God, yes or no?

But I’ve begun to understand that God’s not really about telling us ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ What he wants is to enter into the process with us, find out what we want and then guide us with his wisdom. 

A year or so ago, my family was presented with an opportunity that could change our circumstances significantly.  But there was great risk.  So my wife and I fasted and prayed for an answer.  Neither of us heard what we were listening for but on the last day of the fast I had a vision.  I saw two roads stretching in opposite directions.  One road looked very comfortable as it was filled with things I knew and with some of the blessings we were praying for.  The other stretched to a cliff where it broke and then continued on the other side of the gap.

Then I heard the Lord explain that both roads were filled with blessings.  He would use us and walk with us no matter which one we chose.  He told me that the road stretching over the cliff would be require a leap of faith as there were many unknowns on the other side.  But he said those unknowns would carry a greater opportunity to impact the world than what was on the comfortable side.  “It’s not about right or wrong.  It’s not about yes or no,” he said.  “Whatever you choose I promise to walk right beside you and love you as deeply as I ever have.  I will use you and your family to impact the world around you.  So, what do you want to do?”

I was fasting and praying for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and the whole time God was asking me, What do you want to do?  It’s hard to hear from God when we’re listening for things he has no intention of saying.  See, God places an incredibly high value on freedom.  The risk he took in giving us free will is evidence of that.  When we come to him wanting a black and white answer, we force him into a position he isn’t interested in.  He isn’t a dictator and I don’t think he wants to be treated as such.  He want’s intimacy, to be invited into the process. 

Now, instead of approaching him for the decision, we approach him for wisdom and guidance.  We’ve found that he’s more than happy (thrilled might be the better word) to lay out the pros and cons of both sides of the coin.  And then he lets us choose.

What do you think keeps people pressing God to make decisions for them instead of working through the process with him?

Blessings,

Jesse and Kara Birkey