How to know what God is doing

A friend invited us to a fund-raiser. It was held on a ranch and involved a youth program that uses horses. She told me these were godly people and they were helping young people gain skills, as well as learn about Jesus Christ and what He has done for them.

While I trust her judgment, it was a blessing to find out for myself the truth of her assessment. Yesterday’s event was God-honoring, and how do I know that? It’s the same way that I know the voice of the Lord. Obviously, these people care for their sheep . . .

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.” (John 10:1–6)

Not everyone has natural discernment. Otherwise telephone solicitations and cults coming to our doors would cease because no one would be interested. Without success, they would simply go away. However, as Jesus said, His sheep hear His voice. He calls us by name and we follow Him, knowing His voice. He gives us that recognition and while our enemies sometimes distract us away from Him, this is not permanent. We discern who are the liars that have no real care for us.

The people in this ministry we observed love both the children and their animals. The horses were well-fed, healthy, and sensitively responsive to their riders. Some of the young people were new at being up that high on the back of a horse, but each horse adjusted itself to the level of expertise of the person riding it. This was obvious because I once had a horse that did the same thing. What a great analogy to explain to these young people how Jesus cares for them. He gently meets them where they are and considers their needs as they learn and progress in their understanding of Him.

Jesus also made it clear that there are charlatans that will try and rob people of God’s best. However, His intention for them is abundant life:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:10–13)

It's easy to support people who care about the same things Jesus cares about and who sacrifice their lives that the next generation will know the Lord and thrive under His watchful and tender love. But there are thieves, and I need to exercise God-given discernment, not only when they try to ruin my life but when they use fund-raising tactics to line their own pockets rather than be a blessing to a needy world.

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, thank You for the opportunity to learn about this ministry and encourage what they are doing. You are in it, and You are blessing them in astonishing ways. Thank You also for the discernment You give so that I can discern Your voice among the many voices that vie for my attention and my wallet. Help me to continually listen for You and the direction that You faithfully give.