When I sensed God calling me to full-time ministry, the Lord used part of 1 Samuel 3:10 as the key verse: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” As I knelt at the altar of Epworth Camp, there were three men who surrounded me to pray for me. One of the retired pastors prayed, “Lord, I pray you would open Matt’s eyes to the path you have laid out for him and give him the courage to follow.” From the very beginning of my call into ministry, I realized the need for a cadre of wise counselors to participate in my discernment and decision-making.
In Proverbs 15:22 we read, “Without counsel, plans go wrong, but with many advisers they succeed.” When we come to times of discernment and decision-making it is easy for us to fall into the trap of individualism where we believe we must make the decision in absence of anyone else’s counsel and voice. We have created a perception within the Christian community where a person hears the voice of the Lord and acts on their understanding. The invitation of the author of Proverbs is for us to consider the counsel of brothers and sisters in Christ who will seek the Lord’s guidance for our lives in concert with God’s guidance for our lives.
In my ministry, my Board of Directors serve as this wise counsel for considerations of ongoing ministry, while my wife, some brothers in Christ, and my parents serve as counselors with more personal matters. When I sense God’s direction, I turn to these wise counselors for discussion, prayer, and insight. There are times where my sharing has brought immediate agreement, as the Lord was already speaking to other people on my behalf. This happened in my calling to ministry when many retired and active pastors told me, “We knew God was calling you to ministry. We were waiting for you to realize it.” At other times, the counselors will take under advisement what I have shared. They have at times come back with affirmation, and at other times with the words, “Slow down” or “Not Yet.”
As we continue to consider our discernment and decision-making, who do you have in your life to be wise counselors for you? Are you seeking the Lord’s direction for your life, while being in community with brothers and sisters in Christ who can join you in prayer, discussion, and insight? For whom are you serving as a wise counselor?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your call on my life and for the wise counselors who join me in my decision-making. When I try to live my faith all alone, remind me of the importance of wise counselors. In Jesus’ name. Amen.