Chapter
5
Listening to your worldview
....what's your responsibility in relationship with God?
Okay, let's take a road trip. We start off from point A heading for destination B. See map above. ....Our GPS "talking map" helps us find the best route. We're moving right along, enjoying the journey. .......Then the "GPS voice" says "in 1 mile make a turn". ....But this time we just keep going straight ....past the correct turn. That's when the GPS voice says "turn around". But we keep going. .....So the GPS voice says something like "recalculating", and gives new directions to get us back on the correct route to destination B.
Now after we've missed several turns, or chose different turns, ....God asks "Where are you?" And we have no idea where we are. We left point A several hours ago, and now we just have to keep going, ....hoping destination B is out there ahead, somewhere. That's when we finally arrive at point C. Don't know how we got there, ....but we're there, ....somewhere. And it's not destination B.
.......Okay, you're already ahead of me on this road trip story. SMILE. ....So, let's discuss hearing "what" voice, knowing decisions we make on life's journey leads to arriving at some consequent destination. Some outcomes are big, some not. And maybe sometimes we get a "do-over", ....or maybe not.
As you may have guessed, the GPS voice represents God the Holy Spirit's voice, nudging our hearts about making right/good choices. ....What is not identified in the above story is our "inner worldview voice" that we listened to ....that chose to keep going, when we should have turned, ....or turned when we shouldn't have.
Our inner worldview voice....
Some call this "inner worldview voice" our "conscience". An online dictionary defines "conscience" as:
the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward what is believed to be right actions.
the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual.
So, ....in our road trip analogy above, ....seems there's a conflict for "influence" going on between God the Holy Spirit's nudging (GPS voice) ....and our inner worldview voice (conscience). SMILE, ....sounds like life, doesn't it.
What's our responsibility in living with God?
Why would/should our "conscience" listen to — and not argue with — the Holy Spirit, when He is nudging us with suggestions for directions we choose in life? What does that feel like, look like in our lives? Do we really believe God the Holy Spirit knows best routes/choices for us to get from today's starting point A to eternal destination B?
So what are our responsibilities in living with God? Do we even know what's expected, required? Do we take such seriously? ....What are the consequences, if we dodge those responsibilities?
Here are more questions to consider....
Okay, ....we have reached a junction on this road trip Quest to know God more.
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How are we learning what is "right and wrong"? What influences guide our worldview choices?
What are we doing to shape and nurture our hearts and minds for good choices ....for our success in life?
How did we come to "believe" what we "know" about God? How do our choices in daily life experiences help build our worldview of God ....with honest, truthful expectations?
How are we being influenced by people around us? ....By peer pressure? ....Don't allow your worldview of God to be learned from hearsay evidence, filtered through someone else's worldview. Get your knowledge of God straight from Him. Read your Bible. Listen to the Holy Spirit. .......Talk with Jesus often!
Do you have direct, personal conversations with God to LEARN FROM HIM what you BELIEVE ABOUT HIM?
Having honest conversations with yourself and God ....is necessary to help understand why you make choices, ....what you value. Such discussions makes it easier to achieve your life's goals. Helps get you from starting point A to desired outcome B. ....So you won't wind up at someplace else C. ....SMILE, you can do this with God's help!
My heart has heard you say, “Where are you? Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
— Psalm 27:8 NLT with Genesis 3:9 NLT
In chapter 19: Know "Why?" study your Bible, ....we discuss our responsibility to be ACTIVELY ENGAGED in relationship with God. ....But before getting there, ....we have some Biblical background and "God-Moments" to consider....
....to align our worldview in correct perspective with God's worldview.
* Credits: road map image from alphacoders
