Spiritual Disciplines | Guidance
Western civilization, for everything it contributed to culture, technology, and the advancement of man, struggles with the concept of individualism. Everyone acts as an island to themselves seeking their answers to their concerns, never branching out or working towards the good of the whole. Yet, everyone can identify with the struggle of wrestling through a particular decision that we cannot seem to come to any conclusion. We need to seek guidance to make the difficult decisions for the direction our lives are taking. Yet, in a world filled with counselors, life coaches, and other everyone’s prolific and often times unsolicited opinion, we need to first seek the mind of Christ, not only individually but as a collective whole together. On this side of eternity, we are not yet fully transformed but are in process. We need to rely on one another for accountability, for counsel, and for guidance as we all pursue God together.
Throughout the bible, you see multiple instances of Spiritual Guidance in play. There are numerous commands to take issues to the elders to discern the truth and will of God. Furthermore, as the body of Christ gathers together, the presence of God manifests itself in new ways. Even today, Spiritual Guidance can be known by a few other words today; mentorship and consulting the elders. Seeking spiritual guidance humbles our heart in pursuit of God while tapping into the collective strength of the fullness of the body of Christ. In order to seek Spiritual Guidance, we must first acknowledge our finite understanding of situations and of the mind of God. Furthermore, it practices numerous inward and outward disciplines while pursuing the mind of God as a collective whole.
A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:19-21, ESV
Where To Ask For Guidance
The writer of Proverbs stresses to the younger generation the need for seeking out and adherence to good, sound guidance. At the heart of Spiritual Guidance, we stress the collective nature of the body of Christ. We cannot approach one another with our struggles and vulnerabilities without affirming that we are better off together. Strength comes in our collective pursuit of God and willfully, as a whole, seeking the mind of Christ, not only for our situation for our situation and direction with one another. Furthermore, it affirms the nature of God who wants to speak to us and reveal His plan and purpose for our collective lives. As we seek Spiritual Guidance, we do so in a couple of arenas.
- Our Personal Direction We are free from having to have every answer for every aspect of our life. Even though it may seem like everything rests on us, part of being the body of Christ and pursuing the mind of Christ together comes in sharing the burden with one another. When we need direction for our lives, we bring this to the church. To the spiritual elders and mature in our lives to enter into a prayerful time to discern the will of God together. We are working together while being openly transparent and vulnerable to allow the church to speak to our situation and humble enough to follow that guidance.
- Our Corporate Direction As a body of believers together, we must also come together to discern our corporate identity. We can seek personal advice but ultimately, this is about the fullness of the body of Christ discerning together where God is calling the church in its local context. This is not to say to rule by majority but rather to give significant time for the spiritually mature of the church to come together and discern the call of God. This is not relying on our personal skills or abilities but in prayer, fasting, and discerning the mind of Christ for the body of Christ. In this sense, we give up our individual identity and preferences for the well being of the body of Christ as a whole. This may be difficult for us at first, but we will find that when we collectively seek the Lord together, we all will draw near to God. The presence of God will impact all those who pursue Him.
As we are seeking guidance from others, we must remember the line of authority. Of the spiritual disciplines, when we let others speak into the direction of our lives, there is a temptation for a person to abuse the situation. Seeking Spiritual guidance is not about getting another opinion or another perspective but rather it is collectively searching for the thoughts of the one who reigns over all: the Lord. The guidance from the Spirit will not contradict the word of God. Religious cults, working supposedly in the name of God, that openly contradicted the word of God or relied on God speaking to merely one person (who would “guide” according to what suits them best). Likewise, we may be hesitant to receive spiritual guidance when it contradicts our own wants. Each circumstance must be approached knowing that God wants to guide and speak to His people. We must, likewise, approach the situation with humility and discernment to hear the word of God.
