There are many things we learn in life simply by practice. My son loves biking. He has the outfit, the glasses and the shoes that clip into his bike. He has learned the difference between biking on a sunny day with a gentle breeze versus the day where the wind is blowing against him and he must down shift to push through. All his concentration is on biking and not giving up. A person can read about it, but it is not until you live it that you truly understand.

As we walk with the Good Shepherd we discover quickly, it is not always through green fields and gentle hills. I was talking to the Lord about discernment and reflecting on why it is such a large issue. One person stumbles almost blindly into folly while the other pulls back almost intuitively, knowing to proceed would bring them into danger. There is a lot at stake in the acquiring of this precious gift.

How does one gain discernment? We have perhaps all made our mistakes and hopefully learnt from them. It would, however, be sad to think that learning from our mistakes is the only way to get discernment because we would live with so many foolish losses. We learn it as we practice it; we walk with Jesus along the way and He instructs us. There is humility that is involved; a teachable spirit. We learn it as we seek Him for each step and decision along the way. We lean into Him, listening in prayer, reflecting quietly on His Word, turning away from self-reliance.

When we go through the different seasons of life, wise discernment is required. It does not just come to us. It is a bit like my son’s biking; he did not learn it in a book alone; he practiced it many times. This is true of most things.

There is a well-known saying, “practice makes perfect” but my son in law says “perfect practice makes perfect. “I think there is truth in that in most areas of our lives. When we seek the Lord whole heartedly daily, we learn discernment. Just like in Hebrews 5:14

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

I have been praying these last few days for increased discernment because we are invited to do so. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Phil.1:9-10.

Perhaps we could take the next few days and pray Phil. 1:9-10 for ourselves, and our loved ones. To live well and wisely, we need discernment in increasing measure. It is not available in any store - only from God’s Holy Spirit who is not stingy but generous as we seek Him.

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who provides us with all we need to walk through each day. I ask that You would give me all the wise discernment I need for today. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear what is needed. Thank You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen