Grace for the Writer’s Journey: Discernment

Dear Writer, I hope you had a beautiful week and took time to consider how community impacts you as a writer! This week, we’re going to look at another key to partnering with God’s grace. And that key is discernment.

You see, writer, part of partnering with God’s grace in our writing journey requires us to learn to identify His voice as distinct from our own. When we clearly know Gods word to us, it helps us more easily recognize what to do when we face the inevitable difficulties along the way.

But before we jump in, let’s look at some others whose discernment helped them understand God’s timing and purposes along their journey…

Discernment in History

General George Washington is a good example of discernment in action. Most generals in Washington’s era sought to win large decisive victories. Washington, on the other hand, paused to discern the moment and developed strategies that would work to America’s advantage over the course of the war. 

For instance, Washington knew Britain was strapped for cash. So instead of pushing for early victory—one America was not equipped to accomplish—Washington chose instead to run. In fact, Washington became known of retreating well. By drawing out the war, he forced Britain to spend even more and more on their troops, which didn’t sit well with their subjects at home. Washington also clearly recognized when decisive victories were needed to buoy the courage of his army and embolden the Continental Congress.

Washington’s big picture approach, ability to discern the moment, and reliance on God enabled him to courageously lead the American armies to victory in the face of overwhelming odds.

Discernment in the Bible

Abigail is another wonderful example of discernment. When she learned of her husband Nabal’s callous refusal to David’s request for support, Abigail quickly discerned how best to avert David’s wrath. Not only that, Abigail knew when to tell what had happened her husband, wisely waiting until he was sober to break the news. 

As a result of Abigail’s discernment, God kept David from a disastrous sin. Then through the shock of her well-timed report, God brought justice to Nabal and freedom to Abigail, who David quickly married.

You see, writer, learning to discern how God is working in us and others helps us know when to forge boldly ahead and when to patiently wait.

Discernment in Life

I first began to discern when as a freshman at college, when I met my husband Jared. At the time, Jared was a hopeless flirt. While I normally avoided that kind of thing, I could see Jared’s passionate heart for the Lord and a love for others that belied the flirtation. In short order, I recognized I was far safer with Jared than with most of the “straight-laced” men. 

Though neither of us planned to marry, as our friendship grew, it became clear through the peculiar weaving of circumstances that God Himself was drawing us together for marriage.After some serious soul-searching and discernment, we did in fact get engaged and then married. 

That bit of discernment and obedience has unlocked for us an unending train of opportunity, discernment, and obedience that have radically transformed our lives. And the lives of others, too. Because here’s the thing…

Discernment in Your Life

Discernment is really about getting to know the heart of God—His word, will, and ways—so you can begin to assess your life and circumstances form His viewpoint and recognize where He is lining things up for you. If that sounds overwhelming or only for those super-saints, let me assure you, your loving Father invites all of His children to learn to partner with Him in this way.  Let me prove it to you…

• • But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” – John 10:2-5
  • If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. – James 1:5
  • Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. – Jeremiah 33:3
  • For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. – Matthew 7:8
  • Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrew 4:16

You see, writer, we are all designed and invited into this intimate interaction with God. And you’ll notice how learning to discern is tied both to asking and to movement. Because here’s the thing… 

There are three ways of getting to know a person. First, through conversation. Second, through observation, Third, through working hand-in-hand together. And the beautiful thing? The more we spend time with God in prayer, study, and mission, the more we become like Him.

You see, as we learn who God is and how He moves in our lives, the more our lives and choices begin to reflect His person and Kingdom. And this isn’t just good news for us. It’s fabulous news for our readers, too.

Where to Start with Discernment

So are you ready to consider growing your discernment of God’s movement in your writing journey? Here are some things to keep in mind…

1. 1. Know the Word. The Word of God is our true North as we embark on our journey to discern. God’s word is the place He most clearly demonstrates His character, heart, and priorities. As you sit down to your daily Bible study, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the Father’s heart to you. Journal the observations you make and the things He highlights to you. This is a phenomenal way to begin getting to know Him better.  
   2. Know Your Identity. Once we begin to understand God’s word and heart, it should begin to shape our self concept. You see, a wrong sense of identity can cause us to overlook doors of opportunity God is opening in our lives. As you study the Word, note and take to heart the things He speaks about us as His children. Resolve to memorize, study, pray, and speak these verses as positive confessions over your life. This can be especially powerful to do for areas of your life and identity that are weak.
   3. Pray. Actively ask God for help and wisdom. Write down requests you’ve made and situations you are praying for. Then, be sure to write down when God answers! This simple practice trains us to recognize how God responds to our prayers and how He guides us in response to our requests for wisdom.
   4. Start Moving. This is always one of the most beautiful aspects of learning to discern. You see, one chunk of discernment comes from learning who God is through prayer and study. The other comes from learning who He is by stepping out in faith where He’s calling you. As we begin to move into those areas, trusting Him to meet us, we begin to not just to “know” who God is intellectually, but to experience Him in powerfully in life. And here’s the thing…

Discernment is really about recognition. It’s about learning who God is so you can actively partner with Him in your everyday life. That can look like an ongoing silent conversation with Him throughout the day. It can look like obedience in difficult places. It can also look like learning to live with an awareness of His presence and priorities in all situations. But most of all, it looks like actively aligning our words, actions, and decisions with what God is accomplishing. Because here’s the thing…

When we begin to engage in and grow our discernment, it opens our eyes to those moments when we need to boldly act. Like when Abigail went to meet David, or Washington forded the Delaware and stormed Trenton, or Jared and I decided to marry. And, discernment also attunes us to those moments when we need to wait. Like Washington’s retreat to Valley Forge, or Abigail’s delayed report to Nabal, or my decision not to run from Jared’s flirtation. Because here’s the real deal…

Learning to discern is really about learning to stay in step with God and to carry His heart into every situation. As we begin to walk with God in this way, it allows Him to accomplish through us things far beyond what we’d ever dreamed. Just as Washington overthrew a world power. Just as Abigail became a king’s wife. Just as Jared and I launched into an unexpected adventure—that’s still ongoing!

You see, writer, learning to discern is about learning to enter into the Kingdom of God, here and now. It’s engaging in the grand adventure of life with Him and those works He’s prepared for before the foundation of the world for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) And as we move with Him this way, our life begins to create an undertow—a ripple effect—that draws others into that life, too.

So I encourage you today, writer. Don’t let fear keep you from learning to discern. Lean in and trust your Chief Shepherd to lead you. As you do, you’ll find He can begin to lead others to Himself through you, too.

#discern #GodsHeart #faith #journey #EveryWriterWriting