There is one more man through whom we can inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good for me but always misfortune. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.
II Chronicles 18:7
We tend to want to hear what we want to hear. We fool ourselves thinking that God will agree with what we are up to, with our decisions, attitudes, and ways of life. Then a prophetic word comes to remind us of the real Good News.
Sometimes good news sounds like bad news at first. Something in us does not align with God’s purposes for wholeness, healing, and justice. The things we ignore might be just the things that we should be paying attention to!
Although we are not kings and have seers and prophets at our disposal we do have the biblical narrative, the teachings of the church, and the Christian community. Together these serve as ways for us to discern our way forward, to make decisions, and engage in God’s mission in the world.
In order for us to truly engage God’s mission we must be willing to hear the voices of disappointment that push us to grow, to be transformed, to be open to the work of grace in our lives.
Let us not be afraid . . . let us inquire of the Lord. The answer will restore us and empower us to be agents of God’s love in the world.