WWJD?

When faced with a difficult decision, I think a lot of Christians ask themselves "What would Jesus do?"  Is what I'm considering ethical?  What would Jesus do?  How much should we tithe or give to charity?  What would Jesus do?  Should I reconcile a broken relationship?  What would Jesus do?

With some things, the question works.  In other situations, I find that it is much more complicated.  Jesus didn't have a spouse that he needed to be on the same page with.  He didn't have children to provide for and protect.  He was a single man without any material responsibilities.  Jesus was part man and part God.  He was keenly aware of his purpose and possessed God-like peace, knowledge and wisdom.  Jesus was Jesus.  And I am me.  Different people all together.

Would Jesus knowingly place his life in jeopardy for his ministry?  He did.  Does this mean that we should move with our young children to a dangerous, remote village as missionaries?  I'm not so sure.

One flaw in merely asking WWJD? is that I am comparing my options to the specific actions of Jesus.  I am not meant to live a life identical to His.  I'm meant to have a heart like Jesus.  If everyone were to do the exact same thing, just imagine how much would go undone.  How many gifts and talents would be wasted?

Additionally, I'm not meant to ask myself anything...  I am meant to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  There are some things I have written on my heart and don't generally need to process - thou shall not steal, so fork over the cash for that new sweater.  However, I'm often faced with several options, all of which are good and decent.  But which is the best?  Which is the road God has mapped out for me?  The only way to find out is through prayer and patience.

In all things, I pray that our family would seek to discern the will of God, and wait patiently for His perfect plan and timing to unfold.  Sometimes the waiting can seem like an eternity, and in all of my human frailty, I try to take matters into my own hands and make things happen.  Things happen all right, but I'm afraid those things are more my things and not His.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

"Who can know the Lord's thoughts?  Who knows enough to teach him?" 1 Corinthians 2:16