Getting rid of desires that aren't fro God

Godislove94

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For those of you who have struggled with this: I have an idea that keeps coming around that I would like to do, however I know it's not from God. I want to declare a minor alongside of my major in a topic I have always enjoyed (history). I know it's not God's plan and it's really starting to annoy me because it comes back around so much. It also makes me a little sad knowing that it isn't. What to do?
 

Godislove94

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Truthfully I'm not sure.......I'm nervous about pursuing it mainly because of the extra money that it would cost to take an extra 3 credit hours (one history class) a semester (I need 18 credits minimum for a minor in anything at my university. A minor can also have courses that are used to fill in general education requirements or you can use related classes in your major toward it....for example, I can use United States History, either I or II toward my social science gen eds and use Music History I and II toward minor credits since they're already in my major), and also about it getting in the way of my studies in music. Plus I'm a working student so I don't know how much time I would have to do my homework and stuff next year depending on the job/hours that I work. I don't know, I'm wary of making decisions for myself without an explicit 'yes' from God because the Bible says not to lean on our own understanding or to trust ourselves and I don't want to mess things up.
 
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Odetta

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I double majored in business and communications while attend college full-time and working 30+ hours a week in a not-so-part-time job. It's doable if you manage your time well. Almost added a french major and set it aside because it would have required one more semester. I regret that still, 25 years later.

The money thing, well, that's gonna be what it's gonna be.

I've found that if I take a step and pray for God to direct it, He will open and close doors as He sees fit. I just have to keep walking.
 
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Johnnz

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There are times when we decide on the basis of:

a) Is it possible/practical?
b) Respected advice
c) We have a longer term goal and can see what steps are necessary to attain it

With prayer and no divine "DON'T" any or all of those can form a reasonable basis for a decision.

John
NZ
 
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Godislove94

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I thought about doing a double major but it would be costly. I don't plan on using history for anything but thought it would be a good embellishment to a music degree. My favorite period is Greek/Roman antiquity through modern Europe which is what I would study. No American history as I'm not fond of it other than Native American history.
 
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Godislove94

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I thought about doing a double major but it would be costly. I don't plan on using history for anything but thought it would be a good embellishment to a music degree. My favorite period is Greek/Roman antiquity through modern Europe which is what I would study. No American history as I'm not fond of it other than Native American history.
As a minor of course
 
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Like Odetta, I would ask how you know History is not in God's plan. What are you using as a judgment criterion? And is this something you're using your logic, or your heart, to measure? God speaks to your heart, not to your analytical abilities. Calls from God to go specific ways often make no sense in terms of human logic. The reasons sometimes become apparent only after you've reached the goal He wanted you to reach. God will never give you anything more than Step One.

You say you don't plan on using History for anything, but what if He's planning on using it for something?

If you are truly born again, and your heart is sensitive to God but insensitive to the pitfalls of human logic and personal preferences, then I wouldn't dismiss this History option too quickly. Take a couple days (if you can), shut out everything else (phone, Internet, TV, Spotify, socializing, etc.), and just sit and listen.
 
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Godislove94

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Well I know we aren't supposed to go by feelings but whenever I decide to go declare the minor (prefer this rather than the heavy load of two majors and it's less restrictive this way) I get this uneasy feeling like something saying 'don't do it'. Plus I figure if I don't get any scriptures telling me explicitly yes then it's a no. I mean I'm fine with it because music is what I really love and God has called me to it but I hate having the little history distraction around.
 
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John777111

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For those of you who have struggled with this: I have an idea that keeps coming around that I would like to do, however I know it's not from God. I want to declare a minor alongside of my major in a topic I have always enjoyed (history). I know it's not God's plan and it's really starting to annoy me because it comes back around so much. It also makes me a little sad knowing that it isn't. What to do?

I study history constantly, I surely can not see how you might believe that is not God's plan or will....
 
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I see the dilemma.

Something just occurred to me. When you're asking for direction, it's important to ask the right way. It's easy to force God into a box if you ask the wrong way. "Should I take History in some form along with my major?" might be the reason you're not hearing anything solid. It might be the wrong question. Maybe try other questions such as, "Should I take anything else with my major, or devote everything to Music?"

Another point: Let's say you decide on Music solely. Once you get into the program, if it's really what God wants you to do -- and only that -- then I'd expect the History interest would fade over time. But if God did want you to add History in some form, then I'd expect the drive to do something along that line to increase gradually over time. I know that's happened to me a lot, when God's speaking but I'm not necessarily hearing all that well: I'll start down a path I think He wants me to travel, and in a month or two or whatever, it becomes plain via the Spirit's prodding that my choice was wrong, and I correct. Kind of like the first moon shots where the travel paths looked like the teeth of a ripsaw -- constant corrections, and often some pretty wild ones. But they eventually made it. We're imperfect. We hear imperfectly. So we zigzag through life, just like those moon shots. God won't forsake you if you head down the wrong path, or don't take one you were supposed to take. He knows your heart's right. I think he'll give you a nudge and say, "Nope, go this way."

Stay loose, keep listening.
 
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Johnnz

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Well I know we aren't supposed to go by feelings but whenever I decide to go declare the minor (prefer this rather than the heavy load of two majors and it's less restrictive this way) I get this uneasy feeling like something saying 'don't do it'. Plus I figure if I don't get any scriptures telling me explicitly yes then it's a no. I mean I'm fine with it because music is what I really love and God has called me to it but I hate having the little history distraction around.

That's a dualistic position that is not part of th ebibilcal message. Thus it is not very helpful as it would downgrade any involvement in any area apart from 'spiritual' activites.

John
NZ
 
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Godislove94

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I see the dilemma.

Something just occurred to me. When you're asking for direction, it's important to ask the right way. It's easy to force God into a box if you ask the wrong way. "Should I take History in some form along with my major?" might be the reason you're not hearing anything solid. It might be the wrong question. Maybe try other questions such as, "Should I take anything else with my major, or devote everything to Music?"

Another point: Let's say you decide on Music solely. Once you get into the program, if it's really what God wants you to do -- and only that -- then I'd expect the History interest would fade over time. But if God did want you to add History in some form, then I'd expect the drive to do something along that line to increase gradually over time. I know that's happened to me a lot, when God's speaking but I'm not necessarily hearing all that well: I'll start down a path I think He wants me to travel, and in a month or two or whatever, it becomes plain via the Spirit's prodding that my choice was wrong, and I correct. Kind of like the first moon shots where the travel paths looked like the teeth of a ripsaw -- constant corrections, and often some pretty wild ones. But they eventually made it. We're imperfect. We hear imperfectly. So we zigzag through life, just like those moon shots. God won't forsake you if you head down the wrong path, or don't take one you were supposed to take. He knows your heart's right. I think he'll give you a nudge and say, "Nope, go this way."

Stay loose, keep listening.

Thank you, I didn't think about the possibility of asking the wrong way. In the meantime I'm testing the waters. I've contacted someone in the history department about this and am meeting with them to discuss things in June. Should I still be unsure, I won't declare the minor until next spring and if I find before then that it's not in the plan then I won't do it (and sigh with relief).
 
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