Sometimes You Gotta Listen To Your Donkey
Many spirit filled Christians I know tend to be task-oriented, motivated visionaries. And they will do just about anything to make their projects successful. However, this great strength, if not properly led by the Holy Spirit, can be a great weakness in their ability to fulfill God's will in their life. God places roadblocks along the way to direct us where He wants us to go. This article explains: God may be doing one of four things when you are faced with an obstacle.
Sometimes we want something to succeed so much that we fail to listen to that little voice inside trying to warn us by directing us to a different path. Such was the case of Balaam. He started out as a man of God, but then took the path of a "prophet-for-hire." God was not pleased with Balaam's decision to respond to a pagan king's request that he curse Israel. So He produced a roadblock. As Balaam rode his donkey to keep his appointment with the king, God sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the way and oppose Balaam. Although Balaam did not see the angel, his donkey did.
Three times the donkey turned from the path and three times Balaam beat the animal in anger. Finally, the donkey turned around, and to Balaam's shock and amazement, began to speak to him in a man's voice, admonishing his master for beating him. Imagine a donkey talking to you! He warned Balaam of the angel of death who was standing in the road with a sword drawn, ready to kill Balaam if he continued. Had he not listened to his donkey he would have been killed.
As Christians the donkey has been replaced with the Holy Spirit that provides that little voice inside trying to warn us by directing us to a different path. When something doesn't feel right it usually isn't. An intense desire to have something happen doesn't mean it's God's will for your life. Even if it's something that you think might please Him. If what you are doing is against God's will He will often produce a roadblock.
There are times when pushing harder, trying to manipulate the circumstance, or pressing those around you is not the response you should have to the roadblock. God may be trying to have you reconsider your ways.
God may be doing one of four things when you are faced with an obstacle:
1. He's blocking it to protect you. --- I once heard a story of an evangelist that had been invited to speak to a large congregation in a foreign country. He was very excited as he arose the morning to leave on his trip. However he had overslept and was rushed to get to the airport on time to catch his flight. On the way to the airport his car had a flat tire. He began to talk to God. " Father why is this happening to me? I can't miss this flight. I'm sure many lives will be changed by the messages you have provided me." However, in spite of all he could do he missed his flight. On his way back home he began to complain to God for letting this happen to him. When suddenly a news alert came over the radio that the flight he had just missed had crashed on take off and had killed all of the passengers on board. Sometimes it's hard to understand the obstacles that God puts in our way. You can be sure it's always for His purpose and our good.
2. His timing is not the same as yours, and He may need you to go through a process of character growth or refinement. --- The first year after finding Christ was my best and worst year in my walk with Jesus. I so much wanted to please my Heavenly Father. The presence of the Holy Spirit felt so good I couldn't find the words to explain it. I wanted God to reveal his purpose for me right now. I spent the first year thinking I was waiting on God, sometimes stressed to tears. But one day during my daily Bible study, the scriptures revealed to me that God was instead waiting on me to grow and mature spiritually, before he could show me His purpose for my life. I find myself chuckling today when I realize how unprepared I was to do the things that I am now doing. Before we can serve God we must grow our spiritual fruits (which is the character of Jesus) through prayer, bible study, and obedience. One of the first Spiritual Fruits we should learn is patience.
3. He may want other players to get in place, and the circumstances are not yet ready for them to enter. --- When you're ready and God is ready, He will open a door for you to step through. If you're not sure of His will, it's okay to try a door. If the circumstances aren't ready God will slam it shut. There may be other players that will complete your ministry and God is still preparing them. You may try the same door later and find that everything is ready according to God's will and He will let you step through. Or you may need to open another door. But don't give up. When everything's right He will use you.
4. He may be using the process to develop patience in you. Relying on the Holy Spirit to know which one applies to your situation is the key to moving in God's timing. --- Sometimes we need to just stand still and let God move. As you grow into spiritual maturity, you will learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you through and around the obstacles in your life.
God has a purpose for every living Christian. It is to bring others to Christ. He provides gifts to each of us that can be used as a bridge to bring the un-churched into the church and then to Him. These simple gifts provides you a way to bring others to Christ even if you have limited scriptural knowledge, and can lead to other ministries as you mature.
God may not call you to be a pastor or missionary that requires seminary training. But 2 Chronicles 16:9 says that God is looking to show himself strong on behalf of men and women whose hearts are loyal to Him. God is looking more for availability than for ability. All Christians can make themselves available to Him?
Thousands are starting to bring others to Christ through "Bridge Ministries". Visit our website today, and enjoy the many free tools that are available to assist you with your spiritual growth, professional Christian counseling, answers to frequently asked questions and assistance with starting your personal "Bridge Ministry".
A bridge ministry can bring as many as 100 new members to your church every year.
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About the Author
Author: Ray Turner -- Retired school teacher from Oklahoma State University's School of Technical Training "Communications". Website dedicated to encourage and teach others to find God's gifts in their life, and to use them to bring others to Christ. http://thebridgetochurch.com/.