Uncommen: TransformedChikamu

Wisdom

Every day we are bombarded with decision-making. How do we know what God is calling us to with all the noise in our lives? Rather than ask God to bless our ways, pursue His courses and let the answers reveal through His guided wisdom. God’s will and our will meet at the intersection to make the best decision. When making the right decisions, we rest in confidence following God’s will.

• Acts 17:26 He has appointed our exact time and place to find Him.
• Psalm 139:13 He knows all the days set before us.
• Jeremiah 29:11 He has plans for His people.

How we read the Bible helps or hinders our pathway to this wisdom.

Reading for Information or Transformation

There is a difference between reading a newspaper, a textbook, or a love letter. It would be rare to read a school book or newspaper with great anticipation compared to how you would approach reading a letter from a loved one. An emotional connection to the author of a newspaper article would be different than a letter from a loved one. Likewise, it would be rare to remember when we read a textbook. However, we can most likely remember exactly where we were when we received an “I love you text” or letter.

When we approach Scripture more as a love letter than a textbook, we are less analytical, judgmental, and less likely to seek a literal analytical filter. We are more likely to hear it in unique ways. Our soul longs for more from Scripture than just analytics; there is a desire for purpose, understanding, and love. We must read it for a relationship, the heart of what God wants for you.

Reading for Relationship

1 Samuel 3:9 Speak Lord for your servant is listening. When we seek transformation from the Scriptures, it is not just for our minds. The heart, soul, body, emotions, and curiosity grow; it is also our will, understanding, and personal relationship with God. We become a tool in God’s control through a listening stance, not our authority. Intimacy opens up more profound truths, reveals our selfish hearts, and prepares us for questions such as “What does it mean? How does this apply to my life?”

Read the passage again
- Pause and pray
- Listen for a word or phrase that moves you

Reread the passage and reflect on it.
- What do I need to hear today?
- How can I experience the story?

What is God’s invitation?
- Tough place of pain
- Frustration or anger

Read & rest in God’s peace
- Allow God’s presence to evoke the incarnate values imbued in you.
- Listen throughout the day for God’s whisper
- Live it out.

Uncommen Questions:

1. What gets in your way of seeing yourself the way God sees you?
2. What mistakes, faults, or flaws have you been paying attention to in yourself that distract you from resting in God’s love for you?

Uncommen Challenge:

You may find an area with a deep sense of correctness of the text but are questioning yourself that there is no way I can do this? God is working on you in a way that you have yet to recognize. God is revealing these areas, and your wisdom is growing. Read Luke 6:27-38 and pray over the questions.