Don't Get Ahead of God: Patience in Spirit-Led Decision Making

In our ongoing exploration of the G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H. framework, we've discussed the importance of gathering information, reflecting on situations, and seeking God's guidance. Today, I want to share a personal experience that beautifully illustrates a crucial aspect of spirit-led decision-making: the patience to wait on God's timing.

A Lesson from Man's Best Friend

Yesterday morning, as I walked my dog, Spencer, he darted ahead, trying to get at something on the ground. I gently said, "Don't get ahead of mommy." I know Spencer's a dog, not a human, but he often seems to understand me :). Right after I said it, I had what I can only describe as a divine download.

It hit me that we, as believers, are often like Spencer. We get ahead of God. We want to take control and figure things out ourselves. In the process, we try to 'feed' ourselves with things that may not be good for us.

The Temptation to Rush Ahead

How often do we rush ahead of God as leaders and decision-makers? We see a problem or an opportunity and immediately want to fix or seize it. We forget that, like Spencer, we have a loving Father committed to providing for us and ensuring we get what's healthy and good for us.

In my prayer time this morning, the Lord clearly told me, "You don't need to fix anything. Your job isn't to fix. Your job is to be faithful."

Applying This to the G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H. Framework

Let's consider how this insight applies to each step of our G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H. framework:

• Gather Information: While it's essential to collect data and insights diligently, we must resist the urge to act on incomplete information. Sometimes, God asks us to wait for all the pieces to come together.
• Reflect on the Situation: Reflection requires patience. It's about seeing the bigger picture and understanding the situation from multiple angles, including God's perspective.
• Ask for God's Guidance: This step is crucial in preventing us from getting ahead of God. It's about actively seeking His will and timing, not just His approval of our plans.
• Strategize Wisely: We must remain open to God's input and direction as we develop our strategies. Our plans should be flexible enough to accommodate His intervention.
• Proceed in Faith: This doesn't mean charging ahead blindly. It means moving forward in alignment with God's timing, trusting He will guide each step.

The Freedom in Faithfulness

When we surrender the need to fix and control everything, we make room for God to move in ways that far exceed what we could ever imagine. As leaders, this is incredibly freeing. It means that outcomes aren't our responsibility—faithfulness is.

This doesn't mean we become passive or irresponsible. Instead, it means we focus our energy on being faithful to what God has called us to do:

• Faithful to the divine ideas He plants in our hearts
• Faithful to the opportunities He opens
• Faithful to the people He connects us with

Practical Steps to Avoid Getting Ahead of God

• Practice Active Waiting: Use waiting periods for prayer, reflection, and preparation.
• Seek Confirmation: Before making major decisions, seek confirmation through prayer, wise counsel, and circumstances.
• Regular Check-ins: Establish a routine of "checking in" with God to confirm that your choices and plans align with His will.
• Embrace Uncertainty: Remember that not having all the answers is often part of God's plan to build our faith and reliance on Him.
• Focus on the Present: Instead of anxiously trying to control the future, focus on being faithful to your current responsibilities.

Trust the Journey and Prepare for the Next Step

As we continue to navigate our decision-making journeys, let's remember the lesson from Spencer. Don't get ahead of our heavenly Father. He knows what we need, and He's already working on the details. Our job is to trust Him, focus on faithfulness, and let Him handle the outcomes.

However, this doesn't mean we remain idle. Gathering information is one of the most productive things we can do while waiting on God's timing. This brings us to the first step of our G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H. framework: Gather Information.

While we've touched on this briefly today, we'll dive deep into what it truly means to gather information from a spirit-led perspective next week. We'll explore:

• How to discern between essential and non-essential information
• The role of spiritual discernment in the information-gathering process
• Practical tools for collecting data while staying aligned with God's will
• How to balance thorough research with trust in God's guidance

By understanding how to gather information effectively, we set ourselves up for success in the subsequent steps of the G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H. framework. We'll learn to diligently prepare while remaining open to God's direction.

In your leadership roles this week, pay attention to how you gather information. Where might you be rushing the process? Could you possibly be more thorough? And most importantly, how can you invite God into your information-gathering process?        

Let's walk faithfully together, knowing that as we align ourselves with God's timing and will, He will guide us to make decisions that honor Him and serve others effectively. And remember, gathering the correct information is the first step in this journey of spirit-led decision-making.

Stay tuned for next week's deep dive into the "G" of G.R.A.S.P. F.A.I.T.H.. Until then, may your information gathering be guided by wisdom from above.

Blessings,

Tam

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