Discernment - The Proverbial 'Fork' In the Road |
Discernment, discernimiento.
"Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding." Corey Ten Boom
Discernment is the ability to see people and situations the way they really are with neutrality and justice, while also being cautious with right timing and actions. Discernment does not exist in the past, nor in the future. No, it exist only in the present moment.
One of my favorite illustrations about discernment is how God used discernment when talking to Samuel about choosing the next King of Israel. Samuel did excatly what most of us will do when faced with making a choice. He looked at the outward, physical apperance of the situation and of those he thought would be the right person for the job.
You know exactly what we do. We look at the car, the house, the clothes, the physical physique or the current standard of beauty, to determine if someone is to be rewarded, capable or qualified. I've seen it happen a dozen times.
Most recently, a famous production company got caught judging by physical appearance when they did a casting call for a spokesperson for a well known car company. The notes in the margin of the casting sheet for the casting director said, "African-Amercian, not too dark". Why? The perception is that a dark complexion African-American male would and could not sell a car to a perspective buyer in a commerical because of perceived mistrust of black men and thereby an association that all black men are the same.
Wow, when I read that I had to ask myself again, what year is this! But there it was in black and white (no pun intended). But, that's what God said to Samuel. While you are judging him on what he looks like. I'm not. I don't want that one because I judge on the heart.
And no matter how he looks, what he drives, where he lives. His heart is not right. So I want that one, the smelly, ill-dressed, skinny one. Who has a heart of gold.
Today, know this to be true...We can learn alot about success if we look upon life the way God does. The fundamental qualities for good execution of His plan was first; intelligence; then discernment, which enabled Him to recognize the best person, method, plan as to the attainment His purpose.
Have a great Tuesday!
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