this is in Acts 1 when the apostles are deciding who will take the 12th spot after Judas. They’ve narrowed it to two great candidates…
“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias…” (Acts 1:24-25)
Ok, so I try so hard to follow God’s leading. I want him to be the one to guide my life; when I’m making a big decision, I pray tons that he would show me the best course of action so I can take it. … YET, does this method of figuring out God’s direction freak anyone else out when they think about using similar means??? Say, you’re going to take a new job and you’ve narrowed it to two good choices, does it make you just a bit nervous to say, “eh, let’s throw some dice and then stick with that one.”
Despite my faith and my knowledge that God is sovereign and is in control and present in every situation of this universe, it’s difficult for me to imagine using something I chock up to pure chance in other circumstances as the final say on a direction I take. I stop and think about it, and it makes me see how far I really have to go in trusting him to truly and purposefully work with my life when I give up what little control (or perception of control) that I have. I dunno, what do you think? Would you be willing to say a similar prayer and then get out some dice to decide your next business partner? your next big purchase? your next preacher(ha)? your next career move?
Great questions! I don’t know if I would actually go and throw dice for a decision, yet I find myself praying for a specific thing to happen or not happen so that I can “know” which way God is leading. In some ways it’s not really that different I guess. Rolling dice would be faster in some instances. God allowed and used that as a means of showing his people what to do, but I wonder if he actually wants us to use it as a model for decisions now that we have the Holy Spirit. It would be interesting to try and explain that to someone though. “Okay everyone, we’re hiring Bob because the dice told us to.”