Continuing to Learn from the Master

We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing. But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”

But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:6-14 (WEB)

Yesterday I was meditating about what God’s children do as we follow the example of Jesus. Prayer would be a vital part of my life of obedience. I must spend time listening and speaking with Jesus, building our relationship. Studying the Bible is also a vital part to learn and grow in that relationship.

I can also learn from history:

Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, who around 1429 obeyed the Holy Spirit’s call to lead her country’s army against the English.  She had no military training and military leadership by a female was unheard of, and yet, the army did rally around her and defeated the enemy, allowing Charles the VII to be crowned king.  Her “voices” later became her downfall as she was accused of heresy when she testified before a Church tribunal that “I answer nothing from my own head, what I answer is by command of my voices.  They do not order me to disobey the Church, but God must be served first.”  She was burned at the stake in 1431. Martyred because she would be obedient to God first.

Vibia Perpetua, a young noblewoman of northern Africa in the 2nd century, had visions that she recorded and shared with others while in prison as a Christian.  Apparently, Perpetua was a widow and mother of a nursing child.  Her father came to the prison, asking her to renounce her faith for the sake of her child.  Pointing to a water vessel, Perpetua asked her father, “Can that vessel, which you see, change its name?”  When he shook his head negatively, Perpetua is reported to have said, “Nor can I call myself any other than I am, that is to say, a Christian.”  She was to be ‘exposed to wild beasts’ at the emperor’s ‘games’.  She was attacked but not killed there but later was executed by gladiators.  What a statement of faith that I can only be what I am … a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I do not feel God is calling me to lead the US Army in the War on Terrorism nor do I believe that I will be in an arena to be mauled by wild animals.  However, while walking in obedience to God’s Holy Spirit I do find myself walking against the flow of this world and the ‘norms’ that many people ascribe.  God has given me instructions that take me to places that are definitely out of my comfort zone, after all, I am an alien in this world!

God also takes me to places of peace and rest for my soul in the midst of this world.  He meets me on the battlefield and shows me the tent He has set up and invites me in for rest and a ‘conference’ with His Holy Spirit.  There I seek to see more of the “height, depth, and width of God’s love” (Ephesians 3) for me and all of His children.  I seek His Holy Spirit’s counsel. I rest up for the next ‘season’ and learn my next orders. Because we do not wage war against flesh and blood (2 Corinthians 10), this time with the Holy Spirit is another vital part in my life of obedience to God.