I vividly remember the first big decision I had to make in life. I remember the tears streaming down my face, the overwhelming thoughts racing through my brain, the deep desire to honour God with this decision, and the utter inability to make sense of what to do.
Up until this point, all my big decisions were made for me. Grade two came after grade one. Eventually I would do junior high, then high school.
Now suddenly I was a high school grad, looking for a job while trying to figure out what to do with my life.
After dropping off a dozen resumes I finally got a call from a tiny knick-knack store in a mall; they wanted me to come in for an interview.
Problem was, I didn’t want to work at that store, I only dropped my resume off because they had a sign in the window. But since this was the only call I had got after several weeks of looking, did that mean God wanted me to take this job?
That’s why I was sobbing. I was a Christian girl who desperately wanted to make wise decisions that would glorify God. I wanted to spend my life doing what He had created me to do, not just what I thought would be fun.
Maybe you are at a similar place. I’ve heard comments from so many girls who want to glorify God with their decisions and work but feel at a lose to know God’s direction for their life.
Just recently I faced another big decision. This time there were no tears. No agonizing. There were also no miraculous visions and no voice from heaven. Just a firm peace and confidence. It sounds crazy but I so clearly knew God’s leading.
What happened between now and then? How did I go from literally sobbing and agonizing for days as I tried to make a decision to
Get to Know Him
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. … My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:14, 27, emphasis added)
When we know God, we will also know His voice. We need to stop just trying to figure out what He wants us to do and start spending time getting to know Him.
If someone said my sister had decided to start her own dog sitting business, a lot of people would probably believe them. Most people know my sister loves dogs and even works at a dog daycare. So to the average person, it would sound completely logical that she would start her own business.
But to me, her sister who knows her really well, it’s crazy. Even though she loves dogs, my sister does not love being responsible for another person’s dog. And even though she works at a dog daycare, she would not start up her own business of any kind.
If we desire to know what God wants to do in and through our lives, we must develop a daily, moment by moment relationship with our Lord.
The Flute
I remember a book I read as a kid in which the king proposed a challenge to determine who would marry his daughter.
Each knight would choose one companion and travel through a dark, dangerous forest, guided by a song the king played on his flute. The one who made it through first would win the princess’s hand in marriage.
The knights were warned that this forest was home to creatures who would mimic the song of the flute and try to confuse them from finding their way out. It was vital that they memorize the song of the real flute.
Only two flutes in the entire country could accurately play this particular song. One belonged to the king, the other belonged to the prince.
On the morning of the challenge, three knights set out with their companions to win the heart of the princess. Only one knight made it through and found his way to the king with his flute.
When asked how he did it, the knight explained; in the forest, whenever the king played his song, suddenly dozens of other flutes would begin playing. They sounded so similar it was impossible to remember the song of the kings flute.
He would have got lost too, except that he chose for his companion the prince, the only one with the same flute who could play the same song as the king. When the forest erupted in a dozen songs, the prince played his flute and the knight was able to discern the true song of the king.
Written Word
This story is an amazing example of how we discern God’s voice and His leading among so many other voices and opinions that the world throws at us.
The flute is the word of God. God is speaking to us – He is leading and guiding us – but there are so many other voices that we have trouble discerning the voice of God from the voices of our own flesh and this world.
God doesn’t want us to go through this forest alone. That’s why He wrote His word down in the Bible and why He has given us His spirit to guide us by the written word.
How often though do we look to other people for wisdom on how to discern God’s leading rather than turning to the Scripture and asking for wisdom?
The Bible is the word of God. It plays the same song as the “obscure voice of God” that you are trying to figure out.
It is so important for us to get to know God and to have Jesus Christ as our close companion as we go through life. But we also must realize that God will not direct us apart from His written word.
Read God’s word daily. Memorize it. And when you are faced with a decision, go to His word and look for answers.
Know God and Know God’s Word
In the years since that first dramatic decision I had to make I have learned so much about God’s leading and His voice. It doesn’t start by praying for a sign. It doesn’t come through asking all of your friends and family for advice.
God does speak to us and we can know His voice. God does lead us and direct our steps, and we can understand His direction.
We begin to understand His ways when we begin to understand Him. As I spend time with my Saviour and seek to know Him, I become acquainted with the way He leads and the things He does.
As pour over the written word of God, I find that most often God uses scripture to guide and shape my paths.
Get to know God and become familiar with the words He has already given you. As you know Him, He will direct your paths.
+ + +
- Are you facing some big decisions?
- Do you find it difficult to know God’s leading in your life?
- Do you find yourself turning to friends for advice before going to God’s word?
Thank you for this reminder Katie! This was exactly what I needed today. You are absolutely right. We know God’s leading by knowing Him!
*hugs* I’m so glad this could encourage you Kaitlyn. Thank you!
Thank you for this Katie, it was a needed reminder and as such a blessing!
I never read the story of the forest and the Kings song as a child, but I recently discovered it amount my nephews stories- it is such a good one!
So neat your nephews have the story! I loved it as a kid. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement Quiana!