The number of times I have had an idea and then said God is this a good idea and then not brought that idea to completion has to be seen to be believed. I am a chronic start and non-finisher.
It takes discipline and organisation to start and keep going. That comes from having a plan. A plan is only possible when you know what the outcome is going to be. The issue is then how do you work out where you are going so that you can plan a route to that destination. A plan is really a way of working out how you move from one situation to another and you can only do that if you know where you are and where you are going.
The approach I have taken is to try and determine what is a godly revelation which is not and then work towards bringing the godly ones to reality. It is a question of brining to earth the things that God has foreordained and pre-planned down to earth.
Planning in heaven
The impression the Bible gives is that before the world was created a plan was put into place. An overall plan was broken down into plans for nations, businesses, regions, churches communities and of course individuals. Plans that are there waiting for us to follow.
Problem is that we humans need to find out what these plans are is we are going to work with them. We cannot do that if we are jabbering on praying for help and leaving God the opportunity to get a word in edgewise to tell us what to do. We need to open two way channels. Prayer, journalling, prophecy and worship all have something to contribute to opening and maintaining that two way channel.
The idea is that the receiving part of our channel is tuned into the plans that are already in place in heaven. It does not matter whether you think of those plans being written in scrolls as they would have been in bible days or as 3d computer generated models embedded in a video presentation. God is good at translating ideas and information into a language or format we can absorb.
Think about it. How many languages does he need to speak to communicate with everyone on earth? If He can speak to me in English rather than Swahili so I can understand Him He will speak to me in pictures if that makes it easier for me to understand.
How I have tried to do this?
I was trying to think how come I managed to open this two way channel. You see not everyone has. The only thing I could think of was that I started asking for advice and guidance.
What was that idea about knock and the door will open, seek and you will find and ask and it will be given to you. that is what I did. Starting with asking where I should go to do a degree and being guided to a specific place.
Once the door has been opened once and left ajar you (and others) can see the light behind it. That is what happened to me. Sometime later someone saw that light. They said God had a purpose for me but could not see enough to tell me what it was. I had to go away and pray to see what was behind that door.
As time went on I got into the habit of asking questions. What do you want me to do? How do I do that? The more questions I was asking the more answers I was given. Questions and answers like that are only possible in relationships. It is only those who are willing and able to learn that truly seek out the answers to their questions.
The more answers I received the easier to became to hear. It is a matter of practice. The strange thing is this developing trust or should I say opening that door wider is under my control. I can close it anytime I want. I can stop it opening wider if I fear that I am doing the wrong thing or not hearing accurately. I can say God I trust this person to share with me what is on your heart and so receive prophetic words.
How will you do it?
The first thing to remember is if you do not ask questions you will not get any answers. It helps to ask the right questions. It also helps to ask questions for the right reasons.
There are many people who ask the question how will I be able to earn enough money to support my family? That does not sound a bad question but is it as good as it sounds. Maybe a better question would be how do I serve you God i.e. be your hands and feet doing the things you want to happen in the world so that you can fulfil your promise of taking care of those who do what you want them to do.
In some situations that might be a subtle shift in emphasis. In others, it could be a dramatic change in approach. Whatever it is the focus shifts from you getting your needs met to working with God to get His needs met.
BTW just because you are serving Him does not mean that you have to go to Outer Mongolia or some such place. You might serve Him by sweeping the streets or by setting up a business or working in the local hospital or the city centre night club. You might end up a millionaire if that suits God’s purposes but if not He will always see that your needs are met.
See what I mean by the importance of asking the right questions for the right reasons. However, don’t let that put you off. You need to get started asking questions. Remember the story about the car that needed to be moved. People started pushing it but once it was moving it was so much easier to steer. In other words just get started and you can do the fine tuning as you go.
My question is what is going to be your first question?