Advice On Advice

Brothers and Sisters,

Most people in this world do not weigh their big decisions based on "Kingdom" thinking. Please realize this when you are receiving advice or wrestling with a tough decision.

I've always marveled at how casual acquaintences and even total strangers feel perfectly comfortable giving you advice and attempting to steer you on topics as important as childbirth, parenting, marriage, faith, politics, finance, etc... Often, you will hear this same lines repeated to you, attempting to guide you towards a predestined mediocrity. People want you to be just like "them". But the mainstream firehose of homogenous advice should be largely ignored, because it is largely philosophically incorrect. Being "normal" is often embracing selective ignorance, selfcenteredness, short-sightedness, and in general a mouse-like existence. While obtaining cheese crumbs daily, producing more little mice, and keeping hidden in a comfortable little hole in the wall are not "bad" aspirations, we humans are designed to be more than mice.

The fact is, most people's highest priorities in life seem to be personal comfort, and not offending others. These priorities are not compatible with a Christian worldview. I'd say most things Jesus and His disciples did, even most "christians" would tell you not to try today. They lived in-your-face, real, supernatural lives. They walked with power and authority. They were not surprised by miracles; they expected them. They were not religious. They freaked out the religious establishments. They cared not for their personal comfort, nor were they interested in political correctness. They operated completely opposite of the "conventional" wisdom, then and now.

Redeemed, you were not purchased just for your own well-being. You were adopted for a reason, a purpose. You have been called to a higher calling. You have to think bigger. You must think bigger. However big you think God is; I promise you He's bigger still. You have to remove the borders of your mind. You must replace your finite thinking with the infinite, the eternal. When viewing your life from the perspective of eternity, you can finally begin to make correct decisions. Proper perspective will show you what really matters and what really doesn't. Jesus had that proper perspective while He walked the earth. Jesus is perfect theology. Most people thought He was crazy. Many wanted Him dead. Many more just wanted to be close to Him. He changed the world forever. He is our example.

If people who don't "get it", whose spirits are still asleep, who are presently incapable of eternal perspective, who live for this life only, and have no solid rock to stand on; if these such "normal" people think you're a fool... you're on the right track!

Which brings me to my original topic; Don't take advice from the lost. And don't take advice from the carnal-minded Christian (those saved from sin but not walking by the Spirit). As harsh as that sounds brothers and sisters, they will only tell you what you can't do. They will tell you how to be normal. Normal is the enemy of greatness. Be great. Take your advice from bold believers that are worthy to be your role models. You already know who they are. Your spirit will point you to them. Yes there is wisdom in the counsel of many, but make sure you choose the right counselors. First the Wonderful Counselor. Secondly, the mature, spirit-filled counselors and mentors God has provided for you.

Don't take this letter as meaning don't listen to anyone else. No, do listen! Do learn! Do share and interact with everyone, just know the proper place for everything. I consult non-believers all the time for advice, but I'm asking them how to do things, not what to do. There's a big difference! Your friends and family that don't believe can very often tell you correctly how to do something, yet will also often tell you incorrectly what to do. Be wise. Don't be led astray into the easy, the normal, the mediocre. Be daring. Be bold. Be great. Be perfect. Be hated by some. Be loved by many. Don't go with the flow of this world. Rather, flow (in the river of living water) and go! (to your highest destiny and calling)

Listen carefully to those who believe in Him and believe in you.

Change the world forever.

In Him,

Clint