We are relational to our core. But if we listen to the room before we listen to the Spirit, we will always be unstable. We still need others. But too often we rush to win approval before God has had time to root the seed he has planted in us.
Nehemiah did not immediately share the plans God had placed on his heart to rebuild Jerusalem. It was only after he held these things in his heart for a time that he shared. Together, he then worked with others on the rebuilding of the wall.
Much like a tree, it seems he needed to allow the roots of his calling to grow deep in the soil of God’s Spirit before opening his plans up to others. He did share. And he could not have accomplished the work without them. But there was an order to how it played out, and this is a pattern that also serves us well throughout our life and relationships.
Perhaps God is calling us toward a new direction in our career or work of ministry. It would be premature to immediately start asking others for their feedback. Our first step is to pray and wrestle with God concerning this direction. Once we’re rooted in the Spirit ourselves we’re then in a better position to have conversations with others.
In the same way, as we see things off in our marriage or at home, we shouldn’t immediately seek the input of our wife and kids, as this is often hoping their consensus will relieve us of our responsibility to make hard decisions. Again we must seek first the Spirit’s guidance. This allows us to stay anchored in him even as we open the conversation up to them.
When we default to reading the room before listening to the Spirit we will always remain unstable.
It’s wise to remain open to others. But this connection happens best when we first stay rooted in the Spirit.
