Follow the Little Voice, Not the Loud One

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”  – Galatians 1:10

Obviously! Paul is pretty direct in his message to those foolish Galatians. His goal is to do the will of God, regardless of what people think. That should be our goal too, but often the voices we hear with our ears drown out God’s voice that is speaking to our hearts.

Everyone is not a hater.

Sometimes, fellow Christians can be well-meaning, albeit ill-informed, and encourage you to go in the wrong direction. Your plan may not (and often doesn’t) make sense to them.  Of course, we’re going to assume that you have prayed, studied the Bible, and are clear about your direction from God. If you did that, there should be at least one other person who can support you in the endeavor. You may not have a crowd…You probably won’t.  If everyone is warning you against the next move,  you may need to stop, listen, and pray because everyone is not a “hater.”

Ask God to send you at least one person to confirm the purpose for your life. It doesn’t have to be a friend or relative that you talk to regularly. It doesn’t necessarily need to be conversation. I’m amazed at how often my pastor preaches a Sunday sermon that directly and clearly addresses a conversation I’ve had with God. It still spooks me out a little. Jussayin.

Study the lives of people whom God has already elevated to where you’re going.

God will send somone to help you and it may not be a personal relationship. It may be someone that inspires you. I’m a huge fan of studying the lives of people whom God has already elevated to where you’re going.  Learn from them. Read their books. Listen to their interviews. Set a meeting day — a day that you take an hour or two to read, listen, and learn just as you would in a personal mentoring relationship. Trailblazing is a solo act by definition, but God will send someone to walk with you in spirit, even if they don’t physically join you on the journey.

Are you so confident about the purpose for your life that you are willing to go it alone with God? Paul was. He said, “When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. (Galatians 1:16-17)

Talk about liberating! When you know where God wants you to go,  you get moving, and you don’t have time to get everybody onboard before you leave. In Paul’s case, preaching the gospel was his task. For you, it may be starting a business, quitting a job, volunteering, investing money, or ending a relationship.  Everybody might not be onboard with your decision, but you can have peace in knowing that it actually wasn’t your decision, it was God’s.  You simply made the decision to follow his voice in your heart.

I’ll see you on the journey.  Have fun!