Obeying Counsel

I have had the privilege of working with some wise and experienced people over the years. I learned a lot. I grew in leaps and bounds. An important thing I learned early on is to trust people who have gone before me. They have insight and knowledge that is keenly valuable for me. Their perspective is more thorough than mine because of their past experiences – both positive and negative.

In the story of Ruth, Naomi decides it’s time to help Ruth find a permanent home to restart her life. She gives some instructions to Ruth, and I imagine Ruth probably thought it a bit crazy to follow these instructions, but her response was appropriate. Check this out…

⁵ “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. ⁶ So she went down to the threshing floor that night and followed the instructions of her mother-in-law. (Ruth 3:5-6 NLT)

When I don’t know what the next step in life is, I seek counsel. I think it’s ok to seek counsel from multiple sources, especially if the counselors can be trusted and they have my best interest at heart.

Seeking counsel involves great discernment. (I need understanding.)

Seeking counsel requires humility. (I’m not a big shot.)

Seeking counsel exhibits wisdom. (I don’t know it all.)

A big test for growth on my part is how I respond to wisdom. I can always find someone who will tell me what I want to hear. I need someone to tell me what I need to hear.

I get counsel from God’s Word, and I’m reminded of the Power of His Presence in me. His Spirit speaks into the depths of my soul and gives me wisdom that is beyond finding anywhere else. He knows me like no one else. He knows my strengths. He knows my weaknesses. He values me. He loves me profoundly.  When there is a conflict between God’s Word and the counsel I receive from someone else, there is no question which I should follow. I want to seek counsel from others who also respect and know the Word of God.

Pressing On!

Dwayne