Circulated within Twelve Step circles, this little exercise in logic opens a door. It can speak to the person who uses being unsure as a reason or excuse for their hesitancy or procrastination. The slogan narrows the scope by focusing on what can be eliminated and provides for a completely new way of thinking.\u00a0 By eliminating half the equation, clarity can emerge. We can be more confident of what God does not<\/em> want for us. Every possible distraction or mistake that you can rule out is of service to you. \u00a0The use of the word \u201calways\u201d leaves space for times when we do<\/em> have confidence in our discernment of God\u2019s will.\u00a0 But it also holds us accountable for the more common action of ignoring God\u2019s direction.\u00a0 God wants us to take the Spirit seriously when we face new decisions and choices each day.<\/p>\n 1 Peter 2:15<\/p>\n For it is God\u2019s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish.<\/em><\/p>\n As a pastor, particularly in the prison setting, when dealing with people in horrific situations, I would often begin by speaking of God\u2019s will. I would say, with some strength, \u201cThis can\u2019t be God\u2019s will.\u201d If somebody\u2019s arrest were leading to a permanent separation between them and their child, I would say these words to try and keep the long-term and big picture as the focus.\u00a0 Or, if it was someone offering plans that oozed of foolishness, I could use the very same words, \u201cThis can\u2019t be God\u2019s will,\u201d as a challenge. Essentially, we don\u2019t need to know everything that is right, to know that some things are wrong. \u00a0Once I was asked to \u201chear a confession\u2026 in advance.\u201d Fearing the confession would be for murder, I refused. I stepped out of my normal place and lectured, believing that the man \u201cknew better\u201d and was grasping at justifications. I did this in contrast to wisdom that I often offer and normally seek to adhere to. \u201cI had not walked a mile in his shoes\u201d and the \u201ckill or be killed\u201d reality of his world was not mine.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [contact-form][contact-field label=\u2019Name\u2019 type=\u2019name\u2019 required=\u20191\u2019\/][contact-field label=\u2019Email\u2019 type=\u2019email\u2019 required=\u20191\u2019\/][contact-field label=\u2019Website\u2019 type=\u2019url\u2019\/][contact-field label=\u2019Comment\u2019 type=\u2019textarea\u2019 required=\u20191\u2019\/][\/contact-form]<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Circulated within Twelve Step circles, this little exercise in logic opens a door. It can speak to the person who uses being unsure as a reason or excuse for their hesitancy or procrastination. The slogan narrows the scope by focusing on what can be eliminated and provides for a completely new way of thinking.\u00a0 By […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2701,"featured_media":360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[35,43,50,61,77],"class_list":["post-359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-theology","tag-confession","tag-forgiveness","tag-grace","tag-mercy","tag-spirit","post_format-post-format-image"],"yoast_head":"\n