Faith and Vision

When I approach an intersection where a traffic light is installed, I understand that I need to stop at a red light, yellow suggests I wait and prepare, and green opens the way for me, and I can boldly move forward, knowing that nothing threatens me.

But there are cases when the traffic light is turned off and shows me nothing. Then I begin to assess the situation and circumstances myself, pay attention to road markings and posted signs. I look right and left and, having convinced myself that there's no danger, cautiously continue moving, making allowances for careless traffic participants.

I often meet people who want to work for God and are ready to dedicate their lives to serving Him, but no traffic light burns on their path regarding this, and therefore they undertake nothing, believing it's better not to risk but wait for a clear answer.

I would also like to ask God about everything and immediately receive His answers to all my expectations, and only then proceed to action. When you have a wise Leader in your life Who makes no mistakes, then it's so easy to work in obedience. He said, and you do. He corrected, and you go further. He stopped, and you wait patiently.

In the Bible and works of the Spirit of Prophecy there are many red and green signals. Warning and prohibiting signs are placed everywhere, there are markings and direction indicators everywhere, and all these works harmoniously interweave with each other, revealing the general picture of movement toward eternal life in the Heavenly kingdom. The Lord has already prepared an answer to practically all my questions in all spheres of life. One only needs to study these traffic rules and boldly set out on the journey. The Holy Spirit will certainly remind at the right time everything I studied and present correct answers to all my "how?" and "why?"

But my nature is such that I don't want to spend time reading and deeply studying anything, but my soul rushes into battle, to victories in Christ, and I only need to know God's will, whether He approves my decision. Then I can move mountains.

But why does God remain silent and not communicate with me as I want? After all, I'm ready for service and sacrifice. Just one word from Him, and no one will stop me anymore. And waiting for an answer, I get lost and undertake nothing, but so want to place all responsibility on God and in case of failure blame Him that He sent me there. And He remains silent again.

My wife and I discussed this question for a long time and tried to understand why the Lord often remains voiceless and turns off all traffic lights, leaving only road signs and markings.

When I planned to create a family, I also wanted to hear from God a clear definition "the one or not the one," but never heard it. However, I received a comprehensive answer when I got to know my girlfriend better and in this knowledge discovered an amazing world of a person opposite to me. The character of one who didn't differ from other women with special talents and wasn't "seven spans in the forehead" was thoroughly shown to me, but she opened her heart to me and became my faithful friend, invariably loving me at all times.

And I no longer prayed about whether this woman was the one, but about whether I was the right man and whether I could justify her trust and not fall flat on my face. When I understood that it was easier for us to be together and more interesting to go through life together, then I began to pray like this: "Lord, if this is not the person with whom I should connect my further fate, then You destroy our relationship!" But fortunately, nothing was destroyed, and our relationship led us to say to each other before God: "Yes, yes," and we still don't regret it.

God teaches us to live independently, relying by faith on His invisible presence in our lives and observing what is revealed to us in His word. He sometimes calls us to take a step into the unknown and continue trusting Him with our lives, leaving us the right to decide for ourselves where to go and what to do.

When I opened my construction enterprise, I didn't hear specific prohibitions or approval from God, but He made it clear to me that He would be with me wherever I went. Maybe God sees a pastor or teacher in me, but I don't know about this and, choosing the path of a builder, I see how His hand is present in all my affairs, although mistakes in work also happen.

Jesus, advising Christians of Laodicea to undertake something, calls them to buy goods whose meaning He doesn't explain, declaring that believers will be victors in what they don't understand. And such an approach is incomprehensible to very many, so they undertake nothing regarding this call. But we began to study and delve into the meaning of these mysterious symbols, and such depths of God's heart were revealed to us that are so simple and beautiful that it's impossible to ignore them and pass by. It became easier for us to buy everything offered and live in this, constantly opening to Christ at His voice and knock, than to do nothing.

God calls us to believe Him and His prophets, and then we will have success. To believe is not to hear a clear instruction, but to take a step into the unknown, giving all consequences to God and entrusting our lives to Him.

I'll say honestly, it wouldn't be quite comfortable for me if the Lord brought some woman to me and said this is your wife, depriving me of independent choice. I think the bride also wouldn't be very happy to receive someone against her will, even the best in the world. But when it's our decision, we value what we went toward so persistently and prayed for so much. Everything I know, comprehend, and discover by faith and personal efforts becomes very valuable and dear experience for me that no one can take away. And I can boldly speak about my faith and how the Lord abundantly blessed me in this.

Practically, answers to all questions are hidden in the Bible. And they don't always unambiguously say "yes or no," but rather: "try, trust, test, act," assuring that God's children have special status in Heaven's eyes.

If someone began to teach me that before undertaking something, I need to understand whether the Lord approves this step, whether there's God's will for me in this, and whether this will be right, then most likely I would undertake little and would be in constant offense at God for His silence. But actually His will has long been revealed in the works of His disciples, and I'm promised freedom in independent choice of my lifestyle and in multiplying those talents given to me for management.

Many of my projects were implemented by my personal initiative, when I had only a burning desire to do something for God as a foundation. And He, seeing this, blessed all my labor. If there were no helpers, then I knew that the Lord always helps, and I went alone, believing that this was necessary. And in the final result this faith in the best brought abundant blessings for all.

To tell God "no" when He says "Go" is very dangerous for the soul, so the Lord remains silent, offering us to test ourselves and learn to walk by faith, not by sight.

God's counsel is not a commandment, and a commandment is not counsel. And it's important not to confuse these concepts and try what is unclear, and be obedient in what is clearly revealed and not subject to discussion.

1. Please read 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Chronicles 20:20; Philippians 2:11-15; Luke 9:62; 21:19; 2 Peter 3:9; John 14:26; Habakkuk 2:3-4; Hebrews 10:38-39; 11:1,6-8; John 8:32,36; Psalm 139:23-24; Galatians 3:11-12 in light of this lesson.

2. What did you understand from this topic?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. Do you like making difficult decisions?

5. Is God interested in having you choose your own path and walk on it?

6. Have we been given enough light and instruction not to choose something dangerous?

7. Will the Lord keep from evil people who make independent decisions on some questions, believing that the Lord will not abandon them?

8. Is my faith manifested if I decide on some good deed, not knowing how Heaven looks at this?

9. How is faith expressed in making difficult decisions?

10. Is the Lord interested in the earthly success of His children?

11. What should I do if the Lord doesn't answer in any way, but I want to do something?

12. Should I wait for God's answer if He asks to wait?

13. How does faith differ from presumption?

14. How can I understand that God approves my choice and my decisions?

15. If my choice of path doesn't contradict God's word, do I need to ask God for blessing and personal presence on this path?