Pastor Jordan could not manage to leave for home after the Sunday night singles program. Shari Thompson had been waiting for him at the door, she needed to talk. He was tired, drained and testy. He wondered where he would get the energy to deal with one more crisis. Earlier that day, Pastor Jordan had received several calls from a couple of the congregation announcing their intentions to divorce. In addition, one of his deacons called to inform him that his wife had just died in the middle of surgery. He was also trying to contact another parishioner who was reported to be very suicidal. It was late and he knew that his wife was waiting up for him at home. She had not seen him for three days now. Shari followed him to his office down the narrow maroon carpeted hallway. She was trying hard to hold back the tears. He wondered, "What is all this about?"
Shari had been a faithful leader in the singles ministry for over eight years. She had led short-term trips to Mexico, taught Sunday School, tutored in the inner-city, and was a very successful attorney. She was a very outgoing woman who had a very intimate relationship with Christ. She had lived a pretty straight life in obedience to Christ and the Church. Shari was the model of a "perfect" single Christian woman. Just a week ago, Shari turned thirty-five. She expressed her concern about needing some help in figuring what was God's will for her life. Pastor Baker invited Shari to sit down. As he sat in his comfortable leather chair, he prayed in silence.
"Pastor Baker, since I was in junior high, God gave me a vision for my life. I felt that God's will for me was to get married and have children. I want to offer my children to God's service. For him to take them wherever He wills. I have been very obedient and patient with God, but I can no longer sit back and wait," explained Shari. Pastor Baker reflected back to her what he had heard and instructed her to proceed. "You see pastor, I am getting older and my body is crying out." She paused to wipe away the tears. "Sometimes I just have to hold and cradle myself to get to sleep. My maternal instincts keep me up late at nights. Am I ever going to be a mother?" she asked. Pastor Jordan did not respond. He sat silently. Hoping that she would say something. She did.
Shari continued, "I am tired of hearing people tell me that in order to meet the right person you have to work first on being the right person. I am so sick and tired of hearing such nonsense." Before Pastor Jordon could say anything, Shari proceeded to unload. Tears were now down her cheeks. Shari was angry at God for not coming through with what he had apparently promised to her. She wanted a husband and children. "Pastor Jordan, what is God's will for my life anyway? I have spent 20 years of my life trying to find that out and it has led me no where but to misery. I cannot trust God any longer. I have informed my parents that I am considering artificial insemination."
Pastor Jordan was not only trying to fight back the day's fatigue, but was now attempting to find out what to say. His eyes glanced down to his notes for Sunday's sermon. He was in the midst of a series on the life of Abraham. Could the story of Abraham and Sarah's life help, he wondered? What do they have in common with this despondent single woman? or so many in his congregation facing a difficult walk of faith? or himself and his choice between ministry and family? Raymond looked directly into her teary eyes, nodding emphatically several times. He continued to pray silently. Shari waited for a response.
THIS WAY? WHICH WAY? - STUDY NOTES
Objectives
A. Expose ministry leaders to the fundamental concern of providing spiritual guidance to individuals who want to discover God's will for their lives.
B. To identify sound principles in the life of Abraham that can provide direction and support to individuals seeking God's will.
C. To deal with the human complexities of determining God's will for one's life.
Preparation
A. Read the case study at least two times.
B. Read the story of Abraham as recorded in Genesis 12-22.
Issues involved in discovering God's Will: A look at the case study.
A. How can Pastor Jordan determine the accuracy of what Shari perceived to be God's will for her life?
B. Shari was either deluded about what she perceived to be God's will or God had indeed given her revelations of his will. Which option do you think is right and how do you support your answer?
C. Can God's will for an individual violate God's moral law as revealed in scriptures? (e.g., "I feel that it was God's will for me to have had an affair with my secretary, otherwise I would have never seen my need for Christ.") How do you deal with the objection: "Why did God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac in order to do his will? Isn't killing morally wrong? Why did God push the issue?
Theological Reflection
A. Can we use the life of Abraham as a source of advice for guiding individuals to discover and do the will of God?
B. What was the end result of God's will for Abraham's life?
C. What type of guidance did Abraham receive from God?
D. Did Abraham ever struggle with feeling that he had received a wrong message from God? Did he question God's will for his life? How?
E. Is child-bearing the will of God for women? Why? Why not?
F. What was Abraham's responsibility in fulfilling God's will for his life?
G. What kept Abraham from failing to trust God?
Pastoral Response
A. Shari is waiting for an answer to her question. "What does God want me do to? I am considering artificial insemination." You are Pastor Jordan, what will you say to her?
B. What principles from the story of Abraham did you find helpful? If you had to lead a seminar on "Discovering The Will Of God In Your Life," which principles would you teach? What Scripture references do you have to support these principles?
