Understanding our God assigned role in a situation

2 John 1:9

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

I stared at my friend in disbelief, stunned.  I was just about to burst out laughing but stopped, when I saw she wasn’t joking. She had just told me something about a mutual friend who was part of her “Inner Circle”, that was both disturbing and hard to believe.

I knew her friend. She was a believer. a devoted parent, and well respected in her community. Surely it must be a rumor blown out of proportion? But no… she had proof to confirm it. I also knew that she was not sharing this information to gossip, but rather, was looking for someone to help her navigate this issue in a godly way, while maintaining her friendship.

My immediate reaction when someone brings a concern or shares something that begs a solution, is to jump in with both feet without counting the cost, fully convinced the Lord has chosen me for the job. After all, my friend had come to me hadn’t she?

Even though my eagerness to ‘fix’ someone’s problem stems from a genuine desire to help, it complicates everything when I don’t take the time to wait on the Lord and discern my role. We end up trying to do the work of the Spirit, and possibly do more damage than good.

Isaiah 28:23

Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.

I decided this time I wasn’t going to make that mistake, and instead asked the Lord some questions in prayer.

• What do I do with this information?
• Why was this revealed to me?
• What was my role in this?
• What is the solution?

To my chagrin, I heard nothing back from the Lord except a sensing to pray in earnest for our mutual friend. That’s it. Just simply pray. I was hoping for a more dramatic responsibility, like wearing a Supergirl cape and landing on her doorstep with a divine message that would completely set her free and we would all live happily ever after.

I was so thankful that I chose not to be hasty this time. Had I stepped into the role of ‘problem solver’ again, I could now see in retrospect, how it could have gone sideways. Not only would I have ruined our friendship, but I would have neglected my other responsibilities and worn myself out by picking up a burden I was not meant to carry.

I’m still praying and waiting for our mutual friend to come forward, and either reach out to someone or seek professional help. There is a quiet confidence that the Lord will send someone to her in His time.

I learned so much through this incident.

• I shouldn’t run ahead of the Lord to be a problem solver.He is the Burden Bearer, Healer and deliverer.
• Even if its ministry related, listen carefully to the still small voice and discern your role in a situation. Even the disciples were held back from preaching the Word in Asia because it was not the right time.

  Acts 16: 6 

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

• Don’t be moved emotionally to the point where you cannot or will not heed God’s direction. He loves the person in the middle of the storm better than we ever can. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
• Be humble and allow others to step ahead of you as the Lord directs.

In being aware that we are so limited in what we can do in our own strength, we make room for God’s divine plan to be executed perfectly.

In His Service,

Sohani Faria

Director
Sound of the Lord Mission