Our family recently watched a documentary that had us hooked. I’d call it a drama-mentary. It was full of twists and turns that made us question everything we thought we knew about what was happening. At one point, each of us had our own theory about where the story was heading. None of us guessed right. Part of what made it so unpredictable was that, no matter the contradiction, there was always someone ready to affirm a particular version of “truth.”
That’s how life works, too. You can always find someone who will agree with you. It’s tempting to wait until you hear that one agreeable voice that confirms what you already believe. That’s why seeking wisdom and discernment is important. Yes, affirmation from others can be a good sign. You might even sense it as confirmation from God. Many times, it is.
But what about the times we just want agreement? What do we miss when stubbornness dictates what we’re willing to hear?
The prophet Jeremiah faced this challenge with the people of his day. Everyone welcomes a comforting prophecy. But when the word was difficult, the people resisted. In Jeremiah 18, they plotted against him. Their reasoning? “Instruction will not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet.” In other words: If we don’t like Jeremiah’s message, we can find someone else to say what we want to hear.
But in chasing the message they preferred, they ignored the message God wanted them to hear. The same danger exists for us. We must be willing to receive the Spirit’s direction even if it challenges us, even if it’s not what we hoped to hear and even if it would be easier to find another more agreeable voice.
Stay blessed...john | 
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