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ARE YOU PRACTICING GODLY DISCERNMENT?
Turning from my prayer time, I looked across the room at my library table and the framed smiles covering almost every inch of it. Baby Grace, our newest addition. Grandsons Logan and Hudson. Children Taylor and Lauren and their spouses, Ali and Chris. Keith’s and my parents. And of course, Keith. Wedding smiles. Vacation smiles. Newborn smiles. Hugs. However, as I continued to look, I was reminded of challenging pregnancies, hard deliveries, scary health issues, and the Plan B’s of life from which none of us are exempt.

ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A CHALLENGING TIME?

When Plan B illnesses or other Plan Bs strike, our first reaction is often to feel discouraged or if it’s a tragedy, to be devastated. We’re overwhelmed with emotions. We don’t know the best course of action. However, we don’t need to wait until a Plan B strikes. The wise person begins each day on their knees asking God for wisdom. We can avoid many Plan Bs if we practice godly discernment.
Following, we’ll consider the importance of discernment in our daily lives. As we do, I’m going to borrow three questions from Blake Coffee, Executive Director of Christian Unity Ministries, attorney, and co-author of Trusting God’s People…Again. What? ….is God saying to me? So What? ….Why do I need to hear this? Now What? ….What do I need to do right now to bring my life into compliance with this teaching.
A LESSON from ELI
In 1 Samuel 3:1-10, the importance of discernment is emphasized. Consider the passage with me.
“The boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli. And word from the Lord was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place…and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord where the ark of God was, that the Lord called Samuel; and he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he ran to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he said, ‘I did not call, lie down again.’ So he went and lay down. The Lord called yet again, ‘Samuel!’ So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ But he answered, ‘I did not call, my son, lie down again.’ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him. So the Lord called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am, for you called me.’ Then Eli DISCERNED that the Lord was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, ‘Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say,’Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’
I can think of few things more important than discerning when God speaking to us. Yet, I wonder how well we recognize God’s voice. I wonder how well we teach our children to discern God’s voice in the midst of all the voices in the world.

SEPARATE, DISTINGUISH BETWEEN*

The word “discern” comes from the Latin word discernere, which means “to separate, distinguish between.” Isn’t that what we need in daily life? Don’t we need to sift through the voices, emotions, and data to determine the wise course of action?

DISCRIMINATION, PERCEPTION, INSIGHT*

Discernment’s sisters are discrimination, perception, and insight. It’s the power to see what is not evident to the average mind. Nonbelievers can be discerning. However, Christians have an inside track to discernment. We have the Holy Spirit to speak to us through the Bible and in prayer. We’re wise indeed if we go beyond calls of “Help!” and we prayerfully listen to His voice. Indeed, we become valuable to God when we discern His voice and reply, “Here I am. Your servant is listening” instead of turning over in our beds and going back to sleep or ignoring His voice during the day.

WHAT, SO WHAT, NOW WHAT?
“I have a huge concern, and don’t know what to do.” “My marriage is in trouble, but nothing I try helps.” “I’m at my wits end with my child. I’ve tried everything, but nothing works.”
What? ….is God saying to you about discerning His voice?
So What? ….Why do you need to hear it?
Now What? ….What do you need to do right now to bring your life into compliance with discerning God’s voice and replying, “Here I am. Your servant is listening?”
Heavenly Father, You are more than a far removed deity. The Bible is a historical account of Your involvement in individual’s lives. Help us lean to better discern Your voice and reply when you call, “Here I am. Your servant is listening.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

*Excerpt from “Woeful Devastation or Wise Discernment,” The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World