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Note: This is part two of last week's memo, and it fits in perfectly with what we presented in ROCKET 2018 as well. In particular, it suggests a different way to think about goal setting. If you haven't yet signed up for ROCKET, it's a FREE 10-day course on how to discover and achieve your most important goals. Enrollment closes at the end of the month.

In last week's memo, I talked about The Three Types of Choices believers face and gave some tips on how to make the right decision in each type of choice. For the most important and most difficult choices, I suggested four keys to discerning the best option: a submitted will, Bible study, a consideration of providence, and earnest prayer. This framework gives a sure and proven method for correctly discerning the will of God when faced with tough choices.

But this week I'd like to suggest another tool you may find helpful. Another perspective, really. It is based on the idea that life is more about navigating a journey, than a series of individual right and wrong choices. And as such, what's needed are skills more related to orienteering.

Spiritual Orienteering
Many years ago I had the opportunity to learn a bit about orienteering. I was taught how to read a topographical map, which shows the contours of the hills and valleys around you, and then how to use a compass to chart a path through that terrain. Our group was broken up into teams, and each team was challenged to race the others in finding its way through a series of specified destinations. It was a great bunch of fun!

Basically, you use the map to locate your position, calculate the direction you need to go along with the approximate distance, and then use the compass to get you pointed the right way. To make it easier, you find some landmark in the general direction you want to go and head for that. Every so often you recheck your position, and direction, and sure enough--you will eventually get to where you are going.

Now in orienteering, there is no single right way to get to your destination. One path may end up being more or less difficult than another, but as long as both point roughly in the correct direction, either will get you to where you want to go. If there's dense underbrush in front of you, it is sometimes faster, to veer slightly to the left or right, and go around. If there's a large tree directly in your path, you pretty much have to veer around it on one side or the other. And it doesn't really matter much which side you take! As long as you self-correct every so often via your map and compass, and keep your eye on the goal--you will reach your destination.

Life, too, is not always about discerning an exact pattern of steps along some unique path. Sometimes it is more about staying focused on and making progress towards a goal. That is, we don't always need a formula for finding a single right answer, we need a compass to help us stay on track.

And to be frank, we need a compass we can refer to quickly and easily. Spending 10-15 minutes trying to decide the best possible choice at each zig or zag in the path will only slow us down. If our destination is clear, and either option can get us there, choose one path promptly and keep moving.

Here is how Ellen White described the importance of making decisions quickly:

It is more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a wavering position, to be hesitating, sometimes inclined in one direction, then in another. More perplexity and wretchedness result from thus hesitating and doubting than from sometimes moving too hastily.

To save wasted life energy and time we are to make a decision and run with it. This often disturbs the plan of Satan..

Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the enemy every advantage. Rapid movements at the critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and vanquished for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice.

Many difficult decisions are best approached through a framework of spiritual orienteering. That is, they are difficult because they are evenly balanced. If one option were clearly better than the other, the choice would be obvious. But because they are so similar in terms of pros and cons--either decision is likely to work. Agonizing excessively will just slow you down.

What you need is a good map and a quick compass. The map is God's Word, which we study in advance to generate a clear sense of mission and purpose. Then the compass is that inner sense of right and wrong we call the conscience. When faced with a tough choice, all we really need to do is prayerfully ask which option moves us most directly to the place we have already discerned we should be. We can choose quickly and act promptly.

Clear Direction
Of course, spiritual orienteering only works when we have a clear destination. Knowing where we should be heading, and having some intermediate landmark to press toward is essential. Trying to focus on multiple goals is like trying to keep a dozen ping pong balls under water. One or two balls is easy. Much more than that and it starts getting tricky!

I suspect Jesus was hinting at the simplicity of spiritual orienteering, and the importance of focus in His answer to the rich young ruler. He boiled the decision-making process down to two primary considerations. Here is the first part of His answer to the question "which is the great commandment in the law?"

Matthew 22:37-38
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.


Loving God should be our first and primary objective. Knowing that this is our ultimate destination means in any decision, we only need to figure out which option pleases Him most.

And the key to that, of course, is to spend time with Jesus. Both quality & quantity. Knowing Him is key to knowing what pleases Him. A moment of quiet reflection, listening for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through our conscience is often all it takes to discern the real motivation driving our options: love for God, or something else.

If we make this the guiding rule throughout our life, and follow it closely--we may fall short of making every decision exactly right (Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;), but over time our life will become more and more a reflection of the will and character of God. Just as good orienteering is sure to get you to your destination, so chasing after God is sure to lead you into finding Him at last.

There's a second part to the answer of Jesus. A second rule of thumb to help guide our moral compass:

Matthew 22:39-40
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.


While there are many good things we could do that are all pleasing to God, we've been given one overarching command that should drive our decision making in terms of which options are best. We call it the Great Commission. The assignment to go into all the world, and make disciples of every nation. All our decisions should be made in relation to this objective.

There's a lot that goes into the work of making disciples. Evangelism is certainly a part. So is the nurture and follow-up of new believers. There's also the training and instruction necessary to help believers grow into mature disciples. And ultimately equipping them with the tools and vision they need to become workers. But again, it boils down to a simple guide. We are to assess every option by how well it contributes to this mission.

Again, quoting from Ellen White,

The church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by His Holy Spirit. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God.... The church is God's fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world.... It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts. God's love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing.


Clearly, our yearning must be to strengthen and bless the people of God. To serve that which lies closest to His heart. That which God loves so wonderfully, so unceasingly. That which through whom He delights to reveal His power.

If our first rule of thumb is to love God with our entire being, then our second rule is to love that which is so precious to God: the church. We are to love our neighbor as our self. Do this faithfully, and our lives will gradually conform to the life of service and ministry God has in mind for each of us.

Conclusion
Life is filled with different types of choices, and different principles apply to discerning the will of God, depending on the type of choice it is. Submission of the will, Bible study, providence, and earnest prayer all have their place. But decision making is sometimes more about navigating through the twists and turns of life toward a clear objective or destination. What is needed are the basic skills of orienteering: a good map, and a quick compass. A compass hinged on the twin guiding principles of love for God, and love for man. Spiritual orienteering makes decision making simple: choosing that which most pleases God, and best serves His church in all that we do.

Do this consistently, and it will bring you to your destination at last!

Comments

What about you? Have you ever thought about life as a journey, and the choices you face a bit like orienteering? What lessons do you glean from today's reading?

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Posted by Qing Ling on 02/09/18 - Coach
Kathy your post really moved me. You raised a good point which was what spoke loudest to me in this article - that despite the detours and painful paths we sometimes find ourselves in, regardless of whether it was from our own poor choices or the big tree blocking our way, as long as we know the direction /destination we are headed to, and can see it clearly with our map and compass in our hand, we WILL persevere. The point about knowing someone is there waiting for us to arrive at our destination also gives more motivation to keep travelling instead of sitting down and giving up.
Posted by Fiona van Wyk on 01/20/18
You're welcome, Pam. :-)
Posted by Dan Vis on 01/19/18 - Coach
I got a bit behind when my computer crashed this week so I won't try responding to every comment--but thanks everyone for posting, and for your positive feedback.

Apologize for not including the references. May not have had the references handy in my notes. But should have looked it up myself, just the same.

As for your question Pam, I wasn't trying to suggest believers are more important than unbelievers--rather that the mission (the Great Commission) to save a lost world is paramount. And the church is the primary instrument in God's plan to bring that salvation to the world. So while evangelism is important, building up the church, and strengthening it for mission is also important. It's also not just about being nice to people. In my thinking, there's an intentionality to biblical love for our neighbor.

When I read of God's amazing love toward and purpose for the church, I'm astonished at those who seem so intent on working at cross purposes with God in relation to the church. But that's a whole other subject for another day. :)
Posted by Pamela Kendall on 01/19/18
This is an excellent lesson. I like the concept of the Bible being the map and love to God and man being the compass. Too often I find myself using other things for my compass - my feelings, desires, convenience, the way that stays in my comfort zone, the easiest looking way (but God's way is the only TRUE easy way - Proverbs 13:15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. ; Matthew 11:30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ) - but these things are not safe guides - and will not get me to my desired ultimate destination of being like Jesus Proverbs 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. .

It is interesting that you called love to God and for his people (the church) as the compass rather than love to all mankind. I was curious why you put it this way Dan . Perhaps because we could get off course if we look at just loving all people in general - we might be tempted to think that pleasing them is loving, and it might not always be so (if someone, "our neighbor" wants us to do something contrary to God's will.)

If we make our guiding questions:

1. Will this choice or option I'm considering demonstrate my love to God and draw me closer to him?
2. Does this choice or option I'm considering further God's work on the earth by strengthening the church or pointing others to Jesus?

If the answer to either question is no - we better not go that way for we will get off course.

It's not just about pleasing others - pointing them to Jesus is the truly "loving" thing to do - if our words or actions point them anywhere else we are not being truly loving even if they think we are (when we do what they WANT rather than what the NEED Proverbs 16:25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. )!
Posted by Pamela Kendall on 01/19/18
Fiona oops - thanks for putting the 2 in for me!

I did not get all the references for the last quote - it seemed like it was a compilation from multiple sources.
Posted by Fiona van Wyk on 01/19/18
Well done, Uau! You are working on your goals for this year! I, too, want to read more SOP books this year. It is also one of my goals for 2018. I have read some but not all of them. They are a blessing. :-)

Thanks, Pam. I was just going to search for the quotes for Rebecca, when I saw your comment above. :-)

The second quote is from Book 2 of Selected Messages, page 396, Rebecca Kohl. Pam had it all right - just the number 2 was left off. :-)
Posted by Pamela Kendall on 01/18/18
Here are references for some of the EGW quotes in the lesson Rebecca Kohl Gospel Workers 133-134 and Testimonies for the Church vol. 3 page 497 ; Selected Messages 396
Posted by Rebecca Kohl on 01/18/18
Does anyone have the reference to the EGW quote handy? I would like to add it to the quote in my notes for this memo and for future studies.
Posted by Uau Misina Pepena on 01/17/18
I enjoyed this reading. Especially about hesitating and indecision, from EG White writings. I make that mistake as well. That's why, I'm learning a lot in ROCKET 2018. I've started on my first goal, reading SOP books. I completed reading Chpt 1 of Steps to Christ, today.
Posted by Fiona van Wyk on 01/17/18
Those are good verses for direction in one's life, Carole. I think of them when I am unsure of which way to go.

David - You also give excellent verses. They are most encouraging. :-)

Good words, John - and what a quote at the end - very sobering! May we not hesitate in God's work, but be hasty to do God's will, when we know it.

Floride - I, too, consider the Bible as our GPS. It is a good comparison. It is a guide for our daily lives ... so necessary these days.

Kathy - thank you for sharing your experience. It describes our daily journey well. If we know where we are headed, we are confident, and know that we will get there in the end.
Posted by Kathy Rosenberger on 01/16/18
Love the analogy. Last time I was orienteering, I was travelling alone and hurt my leg. In severe pain, I hobbled my way back several kilometres, but was not discouraged because I knew where I was going and that there would be someone there to meet me. Thank you for linking the experience with our life journey.
Posted by Kathy Rosenberger on 01/16/18
Love the analogy. Last time I was orienteering, I was travelling alone and hurt my leg. In severe pain, I hobbled my way back several kilometres, but was not discouraged because I knew where I was going and that there would be someone there to meet me. Thank you for linking the experience with our life journey.
Posted by Floride Leonce on 01/15/18
Hi Dan,
I enjoyed today’s reading. I like what you said about the roadmap. When I do bible study with my children, I always tell them about the Bible being a roadmap or a kind of GPS in our spiritual journey, that roadmap being the time spent with God through prayer, studying and meditating on the word of God.
The Bible is clear about this. It tells us that there’s no clear direction without having the word of God to guide us. I think of Psalms 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. “Your word is a lamp onto my feet and a light onto my path”. Also in John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing., Jesus says that without Him we can do nothing. So, there’s nothing we can do, and nowhere we can go without having this roadmap to guide us. And it would be foolish to think otherwise.

Thank you for another great reading, Dan!
Blessings!
Posted by John Gilmore on 01/15/18
Sometimes he who hesitates is only last. But to hesitate long enough is to become lost. I think of those who hesitated to enter the ark. I think of Felix who thought there would be another time, a better time to hear from Paul.(Acts 24:25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.) "Almost but not wholly saved means to be not almost but wholly lost." (Christ's Object Lessons, 118) May God help us to be bold and energetic in His service with wisdom and tact.
Posted by David Jeffrey Grabe on 01/15/18 - Coach
Greetings in the Mighty Name of Jesus, all my FAST Friends!

What a powerful memo, Pastor Dan!
The EGW quote,
"To save wasted life energy and time we are to make a decision and run with it. This often disturbs the plan
of Satan.. (where is that quote found?)

I have seen my life's journey as strewn with places where I heard Elijah's words ringing in my ears,
"How long halt ye between two opinions?" I Kings 18:21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Thank you Pastor Dan, for enabling me through this AM's post to use the map(God's Word) & compass (LOve for Him & His church) to guide me more effectively, efficiently, & exceedingly in knowing & following His will for our lives!

Exodus 33:14And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Deuteronomy 33:25Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
I Samuel 7:12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
Posted by Carole Bliss on 01/15/18
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5,6Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. . . . In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

This verse came to my mind, as I finished reading this message. It is very helpful to keep the Main thing the Main thing.
Thank-you for these words of wisdom
Carole
Posted by Dan Vis on 01/15/18 - Coach
I agree with you Marion. I have been all over the world and have met amazing, dedicated, spiritual leaders everywhere I have gone. I don't doubt there are problems in places, but God's church is an incredible organization. I love it...
Posted by Deanna Dekle on 01/15/18
Amen! Loved the EGW quotes
Posted by Marion Coppock on 01/15/18
Dan I like this paragraph
If our first rule of thumb is to love God with our entire being, then our second rule is to love that which is so precious to God: the church. We are to love our neighbor as our self. Do this faithfully, and our lives will gradually conform to the life of service and ministry God has in mind for each of us.
The readings of the "Ten Days of Prayer" our wonderful, even if you have to do it by yourself. I have a friend who says our church is in Apostasy so we shouldn't do the "the Ten Days of Prayer. But God still loves his church and we need to support it as many ways as we can. I do not have to look far to see and hear about the many wonderful things our church is involved in, and know that God is blessing it,
Posted by Dan Vis on 01/15/18 - Coach
Thanks everyone, for your posts. Appreciate the reminder about those who hesitate being last Ann. There's definitely a truth there.

Tasha, love how you ended your post about boarding ROCKET right away and it being worth the flight. :) Nice!

And Patricia, I think many of us have too many ping pong balls! Quite a picture, isn't it? Glad this memo could add to what you are learning in ROCKET...
Posted by Patricia Jones on 01/15/18
Another good memo. I tend to be be cautious and want to think through all the options. That can be helpful, but can easily immobilize. Sometimes my life feels like keeping the dozen ping pong balls you mentioned under water. Not so many goals, but so many responsibilities. I am really appreciating Rocket and the focus it is bringing. I also appreciate this and last week's memos on decision making. By God's grace I will seek His direction and move out in faith.
Posted by Tasha Hamilton on 01/15/18
The reading today is so rich and filled with practical wisdom. I do see life as a journey but at times forget that making the wrong decision ‘sometimes’ is better than sitting on the fence. If I am constantly in God’s will, doing what pleases Him and; doing those things that best serve His church, I will be doing just what He wants me to do and will be just where He wants me to be. And as you said Dan, it goes perfectly with the Rocket 2018 class. If you have not signed up for the class, I encourage to board right away. It is well worth the flight!
Posted by Ann Lavenburg on 01/15/18
I really enjoyed today's analogies. We are having our 10 days of prayer right now at my church and we were discussing this very thing about which direction to go. As long as our heart is fixed on Jesus he will direct our path but not dictate our path, Psalms 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.. I also like the comments about hesitation. One of my favorite sayings is "he who hesitates is last". Indecisive people are a big trial to others and especially me. I find myself praying for patience many times. It really is a sign of lack of faith in God. He can help us change our direction but we must take the first step in faith like the children of Israel did when they crossed the Red Sea or the Jordan. As long as we pray first, ask for wisdom, James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. and commit our way to God, Psalms 37:5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass., we can then move out trusting God to direct, and we can get something accomplished!!
Posted by Nicole Walker on 10/07/17
This helps following the previous talk on making decisions. I can see a bit more clearly, and pray more clearly too.
Posted by Dan Vis on 10/04/17 - Coach
Valerie, see my note above. 3T, 497 for the one about delays and hesitation.

Great points Elisabeth, both about God constantly working to get us back on track when we veer off, and how some decision don't matter as much as making it to where we are going. :)

Blessing, great prayer for all of us. Personal devotions are like a daily check in with the map and compass to make sure we haven't gotten turned around somewhere along the way. So important, isn't it?
Posted by Blessing on 10/03/17
The post on Spiritual Orienteering was quite insightful.
Pray God to help me especially follow up with my personal devotions to help me fully apply this principle to solving life's difficult issues and to help others as well.
Amen.
Blessing
Posted by Elisabeth T on 09/29/17
It's Sabbath afternoon here and I watched a sermon called "The Sign of Jonah" by Doug Batchelor, before I came to read this article. He talked about Jonah's decision to run from God rather than preach to the Ninevites. God will always try to get us back on track - even when we try to oppose Him.   I wonder how many other people try and get out of doing something that God clearly wants them to do - or keep doing something that God has expressly said "Thou shalt not..."

I can relate to the orienteering analogy, having had my brother and one of his friends design a course at the local forest park many years ago for the church youth. One thing that clearly sticks in my mind is my sister and I having to make a snap decision whether to take our shoes and socks off or leave them on to cross a wide stream. We left them on! Some decisions we are faced with may require a small (sometimes major) inconvenience. But the main thing is we get to where we're meant to be.
Posted by Valerie Wise Burrell on 09/29/17 - Coach
Dan,
What is the reference for the Ellen White quote you used?
Posted by Dan Vis on 09/28/17 - Coach
Thanks again everyone, and glad this was helpful. Many do struggle with decision making, and I think often all that's really needed is a slight change in perspective. Thinking about it in terms of orienteering can definitely help!

Great words too: Nena - decisiveness. Barbara - surrender. Valerie - faith. Thank you each for adding to this!

As for the reference Ann, according to my notes it is 3T, p. 497.
Posted by Valerie Wise Burrell on 09/28/17 - Coach
Dan,
This is so right on! I have found that when I make a decision and do not waver, God moves in quickly to bring about the desires of my heart and most important He reveals His heart's desire. His desire is to give us the Kingdom. He desires us to be happy. Indecisiveness is not faith.
Thank you again for being an instrument for God in Christ.
Posted by Barbara E. LaRose on 09/27/17
These lessons make me think of two stories in the Bible. The story of Joseph and Daniel. By surrendering their lives to Jesus they were enabled to make wise decisions along their journey. That is my goal and through God's help Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I put my trust in the only one who will help me in my day to day journey. Thank you for this lesson I really enjoyed it.
Posted by Ann Lavenburg on 09/27/17
Orienteering is a great analogy for good decision making. I have trouble being patient with hesitant people. So I really appreciated the EG White quote. Could you give me the reference?
Posted by Nena on 09/27/17
This article to often in a tangle of my is a great touch, as long as the right direction toward the destination, don't tangle go which way will be better, I can do is quick to act decisively. This may be the best way to save time and grow. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by Dan Vis on 09/26/17 - Coach
Thank you for your prayers Carole! Such a blessing to be part of a prayer-filled community like this...
Posted by Carole Bliss on 09/26/17
Praise the Lord! for His leading.
I am praying for us all
Blessings,

Carole
Posted by Dan Vis on 09/25/17 - Coach
You are so right. God has to be at the center of every decision. Exciting to think of it in terms of orienteering, isn't it Alice?
Posted by Alice Nasu on 09/25/17
Making decision in life is a real challenge without God's direction. The outcome of the decision made without God's direction is painful. It's very interesting and exciting to learn the orienteering, a step forward in life and thanks Dan. It's amazing to know these things i missed out on.

Thank you.

Alice
Posted by Dan Vis on 09/25/17 - Coach
Glad you enjoyed this, Violeta and Carole. It does make a good analogy in a lot of ways. There's a balance in everything, but if this helps us get closer to that balance, then praise God!
Posted by Fiona van Wyk on 09/25/17
I love this illustration too, Violeta! It is just spot-on for how our prayer life should be! A modern-day parable.

There's a message for you, Dan, from Violeta. :-)

I, too, appreciated that comment of Mrs. White's, Carole. In fact, both of them. You are making progress in your walk with Christ, Carole. This is exciting!

I have been, in the past, hesitant to make decisions, whereas my husband was the opposite - he knew exactly what was right, and went for it! I was the more cautious one, and probably wasted precious time. I'm learning ...

I have not seen that quote before, Dan. It was very interesting to read it.
Posted by Carole Bliss on 09/25/17
It was very helpful, this reading.
Learning that E.G.White states to not hesitate too long, is very
interesting.
When I was younger, I acted fast, not I think I have gone the other direction.
This has helped me to, read, pray, and let HIM lead, and move ahead.
Thank-you
Carole
Posted by Violeta Buckley on 09/25/17
wow!! I like this illustration. Spiritual Orienteering. We must have clear direction of where to go using the ultimate guide, the word of God.

Thank you Dan
Posted by Dan Vis on 09/25/17 - Coach
Glad so many of you found this helpful.

John, you are right, it is so important to move quickly and decisively. So many things we agonize over become insignificant in the long run. And it is the long run that really counts!

Konni, I love your thoughts about God delighting to see us grow, and become thinking, discerning friends. As we grow in our walk with God, and get to know His character better, I think we will see Him as you described, more and more. And it will lead to a feeling of true liberty.

Jackie, glad these thoughts were helpful, but try not to second guess yourself. God could have communicated more clearly if He wanted too, and He can intervene that way at any time. It may be they were not the right men, it was not the right time, or perhaps God has something better in store. So we just keep navigating through life trusting God to be our guide!

Leslie, would love to know more about the coaching course you are taking. Send me a note some time...
Posted by Lynn on 09/25/17
Jackie--Trust me we have all missed out on many things that God has tried to give to us. The best thing you can do now that you are aware of how to seek His will and His gifts. God loves to give good gifts to His children. He has many more in store for you.
Posted by Leslie Caza on 09/25/17
Jackie, there is still hope. You are still in His loving care. If you ask the Lord to give you grace to move forward you may find options and much joy. Sister White says that all trials received as educators will produce joy! Today is a new day and you are better equipped! sending up a prayer for you right now. Remember that with a map we don't look back, but always at the destination.

I loved this lesson. I am currently taking a Christian life coaching course and this picture that Dan painted is so beautiful. I learned and am now more equipped to give and receive. Forward march! We have a faithful, all wise, all powerful, awesome Leader and Father!
Posted by Konni Plue on 09/25/17
This teaching really reveals to me more clearly how our Father guides us and delights to see us grow. He created us to be thinking discerning friends of His....not robots. He delights us to use the brain He gave us and develop critical thinking skills has we navigate through the journey of life. He could micro manage but He does not. Thank you for this teaching.
Posted by Jackie Smith on 09/25/17
I have never read these Ellen White comments before. I wish I had known about this a few years ago. I have missed so many blessing from God because I didn't know how He worked. I thought that if God wanted us to do something, we would know without a doubt. So I just waited, and waited, and waited, for Him to tell me. And He was all along, but I didn't know His voice. I was looking for a strong pronounced point blank instruction. But most recently I have found out, It is a still small promptings that you want to listen for. Many wasted years. A lot of crying after I was aware I was missing the mark. I missed 3 really really nice God fearing gentlemen that He was trying to match me with, at different times in my life. Missed it. He was really trying to give me a nice life. But I missed it.
Posted by John Gilmore on 09/25/17
I appreciate this orienteering illustration, especially the point about moving quickly, whether or not it the particular path will have been best in hindsight. May God help us all, wherever we are at the moment, to move toward the goal and to move decisively.


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