Fifth
Biblical Building Block for the Transition Process
“How to Determine
The Will of God” I Kings 3:1-15
Introduction
“We are apt to
turn organizational tools into work; we think if we are good enough and smart
enough and careful enough, we can manoeuvre our way into the future…The church
does not create its own future; it anticipates it as a gift from God.” (C.
Olsen)
When Solomon was
invited by God to ask for anything he wished, he asked for wisdom (a discerning
mind), and got wealth and success on the side.
Five Steps in
discerning the will of God:
1)
Frame the
issue properly (Framing)
2)
Shed
pre-conceived notions (Shedding)
3)
Listen to the
Holy Spirit, others, etc. (Listening)
4)
Explore all
the options (Brainstorming)
5)
Weigh the pros
and cons of each option (Weighing)
When you have
chosen the best option, improve it as best you can and, if the decision is
right, then God will give “consolation” in it; if it is wrong, God will give
“desolation.”
Our desire is to
do GOD’S WILL: nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.