voices

I want to be clear from the start: we were created to live in community. An individual cannot and should not attempt to live in isolation. We were wired to exist together and need to seek opportunities to connect and be intimate with at least a few other people on a regular basis. However, everybody has their own opinion…

One of the miracles of being a Christian is our inner ability to tune into the Holy Spirit. It is the often “still small voice” that speaks and guides us, comforts and chastises us. It is the supernatural capacity to know what steps to take and when. It’s not that God makes us walk down this path or talk to that person, but we, as Christians, can know…just know…that God is there. The problem is that everybody thinks they’re hearing from God. And everybody has their own ideas of what’s right and what’s wrong. And all these other voices can very quickly and very easily drown out the voice. Hence, the confusion.

I have always been (and always will be) a believer in getting wise council. But who is wise? Who can we trust? Who is mature enough to discern the voice of the Spirit and not just give you their own opinion? Who is humble enough to say “I just don’t know” or “you need to ask someone else?” Is there a way to be sure that a certain person or persons is capable of truly hearing from the heart of both God and a person at the same time? And even if they do, do they know how to combine those two messages into something that makes sense or is helpful to the one seeking?

Carla and I have been given a lot of council and advice in the past year. Some of it has been wonderful. It typically comes from very Godly people we really trust who completely have the right motives. Some of it has been horrible. It typically comes from very superficial Christians we don’t really know who probably have their own motives. And then, I would say the majority of this council and advice comes from everyone else. We may not feel strongly one way or the other about their character. Their opinions aren’t necessarily great or awful. It just falls into the huge chasm of “well, thank you for saying that. God bless you.” But the more I think about it, the more I believe I really only have one voice to heed—the voice.

Every church plant is different. For that matter, every person is different, every culture is different and every circumstance is different. I believe in guiding principles, but I would argue strongly that each situation demands its own judgment. That’s what we call being “situational.” And once again we’re back to the wondrous benefit of the Holy Spirit with us all day every day. God can literally guide every step we take. We can literally have the mind of Christ as we make those daily decisions. So, the question becomes, are we hearing His voice? Is there enough space and quiet in our lives to listen to what’s inside? Are we courageous enough to get away and/or even put a stop to some of those competing voices?

If a person truly hears from God on another’s behalf it probably won’t feel like a brand new idea or suggestion, but a confirmation of what’s already going on inside. The wisest and best counselors draw out what’s already inside. They recognize that God is already doing something and work to discover the truth that already exists in that particular person and/or circumstance.

Do you know what happens when you type in “Christian” to the search on Amazon.com? You get 605,748 hits for books. You get 322,243 hits for mp3 downloads. Then there are the tens of thousands of CDs, DVDs, t-shirts, magazine subscriptions and pieces of jewelry. There is even a section called “Everything Else” with 2,456 items! How can there possibly be so many voices?! Are we naïve enough to think they’re all saying the same things?! Can they all be right?! These voices aren’t inherently bad. But let’s not assume that makes them inherently good either.

I’ve had to put a stop to quite a few voices lately. I’ve had to remind myself that I, Dustin, am a Christian. The Spirit of God abides within me, personally. I know His voice. I don’t have to get a “word” from a Praise the Lord marathon or church podcast. I get my marching orders from The Top. I hear His voice. And when it gets hard to hear I'm learning to take a few important steps. I'm learning to retreat to quiet and peaceful places. I’m learning to make time in the morning and take breaks throughout the day. I’m learning to lovingly say things like, “I’ll spend some time in prayer about that, but I’m not going to make a decision right now.” I’ve even had enough guts to say “No. It sounds like a fine idea, but it’s not for me.” What a powerful little two-letter word! One gains a lot of freedom when he/she learns to harness the power of “no.”

So many voices speaking. So few worth listening to.