Discovering Divine Designs
I being in the way, the Lord led me. . . . Genesis 24:27 KJV
As for me, the Lord has led me in the way. . . . Genesis 24:27 ESV
We have to be so one with God that we do not continually need to ask for guidance. Sanctification means that we are made the children of God, and the natural life of a child is obedience—until he wishes to be disobedient, then instantly there is the intuitive jar. In the spiritual domain the intuitive jar is the monition of the Spirit of God. When He gives the check, we have to stop at once and be renewed in the spirit of our mind in order to make out what God’s will is. If we are born again of the Spirit of God, it is the abortion of piety to ask God to guide us here and there. “The Lord led me,” and on looking back we see the presence of an amazing design, which, if we are born of God, we will credit to God. We can all see God in exceptional things, but it requires the culture of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail. Never allow that the haphazard is anything less than God’s appointed order, and be ready to discover the Divine designs anywhere. Beware of making a fetish of consistency to your convictions instead of being devoted to God. “I shall never do that”—in all probability you will have to, if you are a saint. There never was a more inconsistent Being on this earth than Our Lord, but He was never inconsistent to His Father. The one consistency of the saint is not to a principle, but to the Divine life. It is the Divine life which continually makes more and more discoveries about the divine mind. It is easier to be a fanatic than a faithful soul, because there is something amazingly humbling, particularly to our religious conceit, in being loyal to God.
Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (pp. 236-237). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
What a powerful paragraph. So many discussions to be had just from these few lines. What jumped out at me were the two words "intuitive jar". At first reading a Mason jar full of homemade pickles came to mind. Then I realized "jar" was synonymous with nudge.
As I pondered the term "intuitive jar" I began to reflect on times when I have ignored that divine nudge. Perhaps I said just a bit too much after being nudged. Other times I may have failed to take action in response to a "intuitive jar".
There are three parts to the intuitive jar. The first is to be "so one with God" that we can recognize that still small voice. Our relationship with God has to be cultivated daily, even hourly, so that the lines of communication are open to nudges, jars, and taps. If we allow layers of disobedience and distance to build up between Jehovah and us, we will not recognize the Holy Spirit's prodding.
However, even if our lives are in a place where we are receptive to the intuitive jar, we must "stop at once and be renewed in the spirit of our mind in order to make out what God’s will is." The bumpy yellow pads at sidewalk intersections come to mind. These "traction pads" are designed for two reasons. First is obvious from the name. The second purpose it to alert people with a vision impairment that they are at an intersection.
The intuitive jar is like a traction pad. It should cause us to stop, become alert, and proceed only after additional consideration. If we hear but don't react, the message has been of no use. James 1:23-24 In fact, hearing without obeying might very well be more of an offense to our Heavenly Father than not hearing at all. It implies intentional disobedience, as opposed to ignorance.
As I reflect on my recent past, I can bring to mind several instances of ignoring the still small voice. And without exception problems have arisen. In some cases there were actual issues that arose, in others I created a season of worry because of what might have happened even though there were no repercussions.
The nudge/jar may not always be a prohibition, but it might allow for the stop-and-think time necessary to reconfigure a remark, rewrite an email, or reconsider a response. Although there may be times the nudge will lead to a season of greater searching and fervent prayer.
At the end of the day we must ask ourselves three questions. First, are we in daily, consistent communication with God so that we will receive and recognize the "intuitive jars"? Second, have we developed the discipline and faith to respond to these divine nudges by stopping to determine God's will in that situation? Third, do we have the faith necessary to be obedient to God when we have determined His will?
Communication. Clarification. Compliance.
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