first, check this out:
someone else's look at living out the gospel
People who radically look like Jesus challenge me. In a lot of ways, I want to be just like them, and in some ways that's really healthy. But in other ways I'm being a poser.
I do a lot of things because I see other people doing it. I need to really listen and find out what God is telling me. I want what I give up, sacrifice, serve, bless, etc. to be done because it's what God told me, not because it's what I see others doing...even when those others are awesome.
Malcolm- How do you differentiate between the voice of God himself and the voice of God speaking through others? I think that a lot of times I need to see others' actions, most often someone's genuine passion, to encourage me to act. But I see exactly what you're saying about how if we do that for ourselves, out of pride or jealousy, it is not God's will at all.
ReplyDeleteAlso- What's the background on the guy in the video? interesting stuff, I like what he said about relational needs and only asking for something that your neighbor requires. Sounds like a good way to hold a community like that accountable and stay thankful.
Claire!
ReplyDeleteGreat questions. First, Shaine Claiborne is the name of the guy in the video. He and some friends started the community they still live in now after college to try to live out what they saw in the gospel. Not only do they provide for each other but give to the community around them through service, simply caring for people, and even through giving money. He's written a few books you may have heard of; IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION and JESUS FOR PRESIDENT are just a few. I will say that should you decide to check out any of those books, just like anything you read, make sure you compare it to scripture [1 Thess. 5:21, and 1 John 4:1]. He is definitely an amazing guy that is very challenging, but I don't think everything he says is entirely biblical.
When it comes to discerning the voice of God as he speaks through others around you, that's a much tougher task. The first answer I've got is that you just really need to be familiar with what God's voice sounds like. You can tell you're speaking with your mom on the phone before anyone tells you it's her or before she even identifies herself. Why? Because you've spent your entire life (since you were in the womb even!) hearing her voice.
I think that if I quit complaining about not being able to discern God's voice in my life wishing I could hear him audibly, and started praying with him and reading his word more, most of my problems with hearing him speak would go away. God speaks in a lot of ways; through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, the church (people around you), and even more. Specifically in Scripture we can be literally sure we are reading and hearing the word of God. It's a pretty cool thing that we can sit down and read such an amazing book that describes what our God thinks, loves, hates, and desires for all of creation.
Maybe a little more directly, it's always a good idea for you to look at what you think you're hearing through the eyes of Scripture and personal prayer with the Lord. If what you're hearing conflicts with the Bible or the Holy Spirit in you (discerning the Holy Spirit can often be tricky too...again, you gotta know that Scripture!) then be VERY careful of saying it's God speaking [1 corinthians 2:9-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17].
Here's the bottom line and I think it's pretty cool: to hear God's voice you gotta work on that relationship with Him, get really close and it will be so much easier to hear Him.