"Hearing" God?

[Doubledb]

I am currently my Master in Divinity(going to seminary) but have been having trouble hearing God these last few years.

First, there was the time a few years ago when i was friends with this girl and then over a few months we became best friends. I prayed all summer before i went back to college about it and finally told her i liked her as more than a friend, believing that this was something that would glorify God. I really thought it was his will because i DO NOT pursue girls bit have believed God would bring me someone. She, eventually, told me she did not feel the same and just wanted to be friends - within a year we were no longer friends, she became too "busy" and i just stopped trying to be her friend

Second, after i graduated from undergraduate school i really thought God wanted me to go to this school and applied, too a summer class and the GRE to get in - at the last minute the council rejected me into the Master in Christina Counseling program. Afterwards, i began looking at seminaries. Now, of course i am at seminary and feel that i am where God wants me but im not 100% sure.

So, that brings me to where i am - currently i am taking 10 hours and have sent my applications to some churches, however, none have called me back. I am involved in the college group at my church, helping out in bible study and worship but for some reason something just feels wrong. I feel like God is calling me to be in a part-time position at a church but i cant if no church calls me. So, i have been thinking about getting a job around town - something part-time.

I guess it just sucks because on one hand i feel like God may be telling me to WAIT and not get a regular job-- on the other hand it may just be my lazy self... while at the same time i also feel pressure to have a job because everyone else does - and i really feel like i am being lazy not having one even though i am taking 10 hrs of classes.

I honestly dont know what God wants me to do. I pray but feel no answer... even if i think i do.. how do i know if it is God or me talking to myself. These past things have made me question what i think is God's calling or will versus my own thinking or will.

Has anyone had a similar situation? any advice? i would appreciate it.

thanks for reading (and commenting)
- Daniel (Doubledb)


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[fuzzyh]

Those are all really good questions. Can I give you some insight into some things? I'm really frustrated right now too, but at the same time, I'm frustrated more because God has allowed me to have what I want.

First of all, do a study of how people heard from God, look at every passage in every book. How many of them were uncertain of the will of God? How many of them mention how they felt God calling them? How many of the use circumstances and feelings to determine the will of God?

What I see in the Bible is people who are certain that they are hearing from God. Not people who felt things. There's only one passage in the Bible that I think may be arguably supportive for this idea that the will of God is found in feelings. Otherwise, they appear to hear like voices from one person to another. I think this false idea of spiritual hearing is from our Christian culture.

Augustine once said, "Love God with all you want, and do whatever you want to do." Although, I think this is rather simplistic, it demonstrates two things. Why do Christians always worry about being in the will of God? Are you that special to stop God's will? I think the focus should be to love God, study his word. We need to make sure that we are following Romans 12:1-2. At that point, whatever we do can be a part of the will of God.

God calls us to holy lives set apart for him. However, once we are renewing our minds and we are transformed, focus on doing what it is that our hearts desire. Right now you desire to serve God, right? You desire to help others through counseling? These are good godly things. In fact, I think your heart is in the right place. So seek to follow those dreams and work at it. Maybe God doesn't want you to quit. (My personal opinion is that he doesn't want you to quit as you are now in seminary.)

Let me explain to you how this has effected my life. I pray about what God wants for my life. I don't stress out about it. I wanted to go to school for a MA in philosophy. I wanted to use philosophy as a way to reach non-believers for Christ and help Christians clearly share the gospel. I recently graduated from a Bible College that is unaccredited. I thought, I would have to spend 2 more years doing undergrad work, probably in computer science since that is the majority of my credits are in. I was afraid that my wife would be sick of me being in school and always busy. Yet, I prayed about it. I knew that if God wanted me in that area he would provide a way. If he didn't he can move me elsewhere.

During the last 9 months, I found a seminary that would accept my BBS degree. Not only that, but they had just started a MA in philosophy program. Furthermore, they were working on an external studies program that allows me to take classes from any location.

I know that if God wanted me to stop, he would stop me. I think my motives are godly. My heart is in the right place and I'm doing what I want to do.

One thing I might add is that God doesn't NEED you to do his will. Perhaps he's got somethings for you to do. Start moving in a direction. A cliche phrase that I once heard is that, "God can direct a person who is moving, but a person who is stopped can only be kicked in the rear."

For some more teaching about this, go to

http://www.str.org/

Greg Koukl has some wonderful things to say about this. His thinking has effected mine greatly. This also has brought about a GREAT freedom in my life.

 

[rita727]

This kind of sounds like a thread of mine: Is it you or God?

Maybe it'll help you.

 

[YourChild]

I am currently my Master in Divinity(going to seminary) but have been having trouble hearing God these last few years.

First, there was the time a few years ago when i was friends with this girl and then over a few months we became best friends. I prayed all summer before i went back to college about it and finally told her i liked her as more than a friend, believing that this was something that would glorify God. I really thought it was his will because i DO NOT pursue girls bit have believed God would bring me someone. She, eventually, told me she did not feel the same and just wanted to be friends - within a year we were no longer friends, she became too "busy" and i just stopped trying to be her friend

Second, after i graduated from undergraduate school i really thought God wanted me to go to this school and applied, too a summer class and the GRE to get in - at the last minute the council rejected me into the Master in Christina Counseling program. Afterwards, i began looking at seminaries. Now, of course i am at seminary and feel that i am where God wants me but im not 100% sure.

So, that brings me to where i am - currently i am taking 10 hours and have sent my applications to some churches, however, none have called me back. I am involved in the college group at my church, helping out in bible study and worship but for some reason something just feels wrong. I feel like God is calling me to be in a part-time position at a church but i cant if no church calls me. So, i have been thinking about getting a job around town - something part-time.

I guess it just sucks because on one hand i feel like God may be telling me to WAIT and not get a regular job-- on the other hand it may just be my lazy self... while at the same time i also feel pressure to have a job because everyone else does - and i really feel like i am being lazy not having one even though i am taking 10 hrs of classes.

I honestly dont know what God wants me to do. I pray but feel no answer... even if i think i do.. how do i know if it is God or me talking to myself. These past things have made me question what i think is God's calling or will versus my own thinking or will.

Has anyone had a similar situation? any advice? i would appreciate it.

thanks for reading (and commenting)
- Daniel (Doubledb)


</IMG>

I'm not exactly sure what the study of seminaries is...are you going to be a pastor preaching? Although, I do realize that what Christians need to do more, as a whole, is share our faith with lost souls. Maybe God wants you to take some time set aside for evangelizing and sharing your faith with others? Study shows that only 2% of Christians are actively sharing their faith with others while the rest of the 98% are in fear of speaking the gospel to others. On top of that, 90% of those that converted to Christianity fall back so only about 10% are solid Christians. I think the biggest part as Christians is to bring more lost souls to Christ..along with this there is a necessity for these converts to repent of their sins. I might be going off topic here but if you're going to evangelize, the most important message you must tell people is to that God has Laws (10 commandments) and sinners are in violation of God's Law and hell is awaiting them. The only way to escape hell is through God's grace ..through Christ.. True converts are those that truly repent of their sins. False converts are those that come to CHrist with the intention of getting their problems fixed...the message of "God has a wonderful plan" for you is misleading if you're going to evangelize because not everyone is currently suffering love, money, family, etc problems. Some are actually rich and have a stable life and therefore, feel that they don't need God in their lives.
And like the apostles, Paul, Peter, etc...many will suffer persecution and life might even get more difficult. once the converts sees that their life is suddenly getting tuffer, they will drop out and abandon Christ.

Sorry I got a little carried away but I do feel that if you really have a solid understanding of the Bible, then you should take some time out to evangelizing. Every lost soul is worth more than words can say for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[fuzzyh]

Although, I think evangelism is a good thing. In fact, I think it is a GREAT thing. I think the cart is put before the horse a bit.

We need to evangelize the world. However, seminary is a good time to study, to make sure that you know what it is that you are sharing. Only 2% of Christians may be sharing, but in my church alone, only about 10% really can clearly define the gospel. This means that 90% of people in my church would not be able to clearly present the gospel either.

Peter did not go out and speak about the Lord until after he had spent some time with him. In fact, the apostles had 3 years of intense training. It was more in depth than any seminary, because they didn't fight the language game. Paul also was trained as a Pharisee and was familiar with Greek philosophy. He then spend some time in the wilderness to learn more.

I think the pattern is learn then do. I'm certain that some undergrad stuff leads to knowing a lot of the right things. I'm not saying that to have a ministry you need a M.Div. What I am saying is that to be a good minister you need certain training. M.Div.'s are a good place to start for much of that training.

 

[HumbleUnderdog]

I should point out that there's a difference between hearing God and listening to God. I find that when things go wrong, when i do something on my own accord without the Holy Spirit, it's because at that single moment or during the duration of that time I had taken over, and sorta shoved God outta the way to do my own bidding. Consider that and see if you can relate.. Thankfully we have God's grace and He can take the lead again if we let Him.

 

[Moluku]

It's an interesting situation, trying to decipher what is God and what is ourselves or even the world. This is something I still struggle with, despite my growth in the Lord. I guess you could view this as the OT prophets did. If the prophesy came true, it was of God. If it didn't, it wasn't of God. Figure God will open the door if He really wants you to do something. Pray for confirmation, even peace in a situation. I notice that when I'm making big decisions that I will usually feel peace after making them and that's my way of knowing that God has reassured me in my decision.

God wants the best for each of us, it's just a matter of really listening intently and with an open heart. Sometimes we will sway what we "think" God is telling us in order to satisfy our own desires. This isn't always intentional, and I'd be the first to admit doing such. But ask for God's peace in your decision making. Open doors and clarity are my prayers that God fills you with throughout this week.