Theological Grounding for Discerning Communities
“Since God calls us anew every moment, the response of faith is never-ending. The hearing demands an asceticism of attentiveness. There is never a moment before death when faith can say, ‘Enough, it is finished,’… God’s Word unfolds with every breath we breathe.” –Luke Timothy Johnson, Scripture and Discernment.
adapted from several sources including Elizabeth Liebert (The Soul of Discernment), Morris and Olsen (Discerning God’s Will Together), and Mark Thibodeaux (God’s Voice Within)
God is present here and now. We can trust that God is at work in the situations of our lives and communities, not matter how complex or challenging.
We can participate with God in co-creating the future. God did not just create “in the beginning,” but is continually creating, upholding, and enriching persons and communities.
God’s invitation and presence are not withheld. God is self-disclosing in a variety of forms, and at all times. God is still speaking!
“God is in all things.” We can “hear” the voice of God in nature, music, art, the stories and perspectives of others, scripture, the movements of our hearts, our intuition, imagination, and dreams. God’s voice does not sound like only one thing. By paying attention to the signals of the Spirit we learn to differentiate the voice of God from other voices.
Discernment is the place where our desires and God’s desires intersect. (Thibodeaux)
It is impossible to fall outside of God’s grace and love. You cannot fail at discernment.
Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16, NRSVue
