The Daily Word

We are faced many times by problems during a day, some we can solve quite easily, particularly if they only involve us as an individual. Some problems are not what I would call time-critical, they don’t demand an instant solution, so they get shelved as our brains sort them into sequence of need.

There is another category of problem that involves another person. It may be our problem that involves them or their problem that they have brought to us, and either way they are generally more difficult to sort because other people have expectations that we often don’t share or are not aware of. The worst ones for me personally are those where I am essentially asked for advice on what action to take. In my experience I have rarely suggested a solution that has been accepted by the other person. But this really resolves itself into a question that goes something like this, “What can I do to solve your problem?”

Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus, met the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and that dramatic experience turned his life upside down. From a militant opponent of the Gospel, he became its foremost advocate. And the immediate question he asked, following his conversion, was “Lord, what will You have me to do?” Paul the Apostle, as he then became, asked the one question that all of us need to ask when we are converted and indeed many times during our Christian life and we, like Paul, asked the One with all the answers, our God and Heavenly Father.

That question we must ask prayerfully but most importantly without any pre-conceptions of what the answer should be. AND, we must ask it sincerely and be prepared to take and act on the answer when it comes! And that may involve us in significant change, but we do have the assurance that we are following the Lord, we are in the centre of HIS will, not ours, and He will lead us and support us through that change.

Let us fully open-mindedly and open heartedly ask that question today during our quiet time with the Lord.

Article written by Brian Preston, Elder @SFGH Church