Here we are…we’re dancing on the ballroom floor of life.  Love is the foundation.  The Holy Spirit is my helper and my counselor.  It’s been a soothing dance.

But, suddenly a big decision is set in front of me.  I stumble.  My grip on his hand tightens.  Jolting images.  My head is spinning.

A vision begins.  I’m driving at night, and the fog is strangling me.  It’s as thick as glue and poured upon my whole being.  I’m drenched in the icy feeling of it.   The demand is dominating all my thoughts.

It’s getting tougher to move along on the road.  The blinding darkness.  Was that the yellow or white line?  I think I begin to see a traffic light emerge.

Slowing down, the traffic signal is barely visible.  Out pops headlights from another vehicle.   I’m narrowly missed, as the rude honking fades.  The smell of the farm I pass every day?  An unfamiliar loud noise makes me jump.  Was that a train?  I’m going to be crushed.

The fog is so thick that my skin is soon prickling with fearful goosebumps.  I realize that I have no idea where I am…

Ok, breathe.  Breathe deeply.  Pray.  I tell myself that everything will be alright, but my soul is not falling for it.  The pressure is like a vise.

Am I going to pull over and be late for my appointment, or keep going and risk a crash?

Wait.  I thought I saw a traffic light a few moments ago.  Smothering milkiness.  I look up again.  The light is blaring yellow.  Please Lord, help me!  Should I stop or go?

If only the light was red or green. Then the decision would be clear.

Almost underneath the light, I turn to the side of the road and shut off the car.  Help will be on the way.    Inhale.    Exhale.    Slowly.

Exercising the muscles of patience and faith.

Sliding back into reality, the discernment lesson comes to me.  Will the decision I make exalt Jesus Christ?  Is this consistent with scripture and God’s character?  It needs to be confirmed by other Spirit filled Christians.  Is there confirmation by verifiable events or facts?

Back on the dance floor, I raise my head and look up again.  His face.  He’s still there.  I was the one who took my eyes and ears away again.  What I need are strong spiritual senses.    He had held my hand when I tripped over the bump in the floor.  He didn’t allow me to fall all the way down.

The light was dispelling all the darkness.  In 2 Cor. 4:6, the Bible says, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Dear friend, I pray you see the light of the knowledge you need today.

These are my thoughts inspired by the book, “Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit”, by Long, Stokes, and Strickler.  This dynamic, Discernment, is the fifth of the seven dynamics of the dance of cooperation with the Holy Spirit.