Q: There is a school of thought that says don`t wait until God shows you where to go but start moving and He will lead you while you move. In other words He cannot guide you if you are static but only if you are mobile. Is this scriptural? I am aware of many scriptures that say the contrary such as `unless the Lord builds the house they labour in vain who try to build it` or `unless you abide in the vine you can do nothing`. Elijah would not move from the mountain (experiencing depression) but God moved Him by speaking/guiding Him from a stopped position. Abraham left his home etc because the Word of God came to Him and told him to leave. His step of faith followed a word not beforehand. Surely a step of faith needs to come after hearing from God not beforehand? My question: is there any clear cut examples from scripture where someone followed their heart without hearing God`s voice and then was guided by God afterwards?
A: I am not sure that the statement you mentioned has much, if any, biblical foundation. Each individual Christian has their own unique relationship with Jesus Christ. All of us are at different stages of our maturity and understanding in regards to who we are in Christ and how that applies to our individual life circumstances. The assumption that we either wait on God or just start engaging the world is a premise that I don't readily accept. God is not so much concerned with you being "static" or "mobile." If God is concerned with anything He is concerned with your "availability" to Him. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1)." We are urged to be living sacrifices to God. Sacrifice means to surrender or give up for the sake of something else. Jesus said a Christian "must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24)." This has little to do with our actions, being static or mobile, but is about our attitude as Christians.
The Apostle Paul said, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus... (Philippians 2:5)." And what was the attitude of Christ Jesus? "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me (John 8:28)." God speaks to Christians through His Spirit which indwells each and everyone of us. This means that as we go about our daily lives we do so with an attitude that if an opportunity presents itself to share what we know about the Lord then we take that opportunity. There is a problem that can arise when we focus on being "static" or "mobile" in our Christian lives. If we live a life of constantly waiting on the Lord to guide us we may be of no use to the world and get nothing accomplished personally. This belief can be taken to extremes where we sit around waiting for God to tell us everything to do in our lives from where to live, what job to take, who to marry, what to eat and so on. On the other hand many Christians believe and teach that we should get involved in serving immediately. Therefore, Christians are thrust into church activity without any regard to the individuals Christian maturity or desire to get involved. This can quickly lead to burnout and disinterest in being a Christian because, as a friend of mine once said, Christianity becomes "like a second job."
As far as any scriptural evidence to support someone who followed their heart without first hearing from God, the example of the disciples choosing Matthias to take the place of Judas may be one. After Jesus was taken up into heaven the disciples got together, under the direction of Peter, to choose a replacement. While we can read those present consorted scripture and prayed for guidance, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs (Acts 1:24-25)," there is no indication that God specifically answered their prayer or directed them to select Matthias. In fact, they resorted to casting lots as the way in which to determine that Matthias was to take the place of Judas. It is almost humorous that the position of Apostle of Jesus Christ was determined by a game of chance. This is more an example of mankind's impatience, the freedom we have in Christ to choose what direction in which to go in and a testament to the overwhelming sovereignty of God who still used their choice to advance His plan of salvation. We hear nothing of what Matthias did after his selection, but we also do not read where God was displeased with his selection.
I applaud you for testing this commonly used phrase up against the standard of scripture to see if it is true. There are many cliches that Christians say to each other that have little to no origin within the pages of scripture. The use of them, while well meaning in many cases, can also serve to reinforce bad teaching and doctrines not consistent with our life in Christ. And as I stated earlier, can lead to us being paralyzed or frustrated in our walk with the Lord and in our everyday lives. The Bible encourages Christians to "not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13)." Our Christian lives begin and end with our understanding and putting faith in the fact that God loves and accepts us unconditionally. It is knowing how much He loves us which compels us in our daily lives. Rather than deciding on whether to wait for God's direction or to get moving and hope He blesses our actions, we should live a life of faith in response to the love God has already shown to us. In turn, we engage the world with the love we have received from God through faith in Jesus Christ and are available to serve others with that love when the opportunity presents itself.
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