Today I was on my way to the office and I took the “back way” because I enjoy an early morning drive through the park and a quiet neighborhood. As I entered the neighborhood a woman was walking her…unidentified creature. Since it was on a leash I assumed it was a dog but the closer I got, the more I began questioning my first assessment. It was a dog, no, a pig? Now I was really confused. Can pigs have poofy hair? Can you walk a pig on a leash? All these thoughts were running through my head as I passed by the woman walking a pidog. I took one last look in my rear-view mirror to hopefully discern if those were hooves or paws. No luck.
So much of our lives are spent on discerning. Right or wrong? Wise or unwise? Here or there? Now or later? Yes or no? Although practicing discernment can be exhausting, it is a very important compartment of our being. According to the dictionary, discernment is the ability to judge well. If you believe in Christ and accept the Bible as God’s word, discernment moves to another level. Spiritual discernment is the ability to judge according to God’s ways. Right and wrong is no longer determined by my feelings or desires, but by God’s revealed ways. Wise or unwise is clearly seen when I am guided by the Holy Spirit of God and the Word of God. Here or there is not judged according to my plans, but by God’s leading. Now or later is discovered whenever a person sees that which is important to God. Yes or no is a question left for God alone.
