Preference is such a interesting concept. Based on the things we experience and the unique way each one of our personalities were created, we build a “preference” about numerous things in our lives. We often say “I vote we do ____ , but that’s just what I prefer”. We make it seem like a preference is simply a harmless opinion, but what I have recently noticed, is that it actually has the ability to blind us.

I have lived in four different areas of my city, but have been taking the same road to go everywhere since I determined that was the most convenient main street near the house I lived in at 16. Nowadays, a lot more roads have been built and I live 20 minutes south of that house. Nonetheless, it wasn’t until a couple months ago that I used a road that has been here longer than the one I normally took, and from this side of town, is way more efficient. It has more turns and more side streets than the other, but it is undoubtedly the faster option to get to work, church, the mall, and truly…anywhere besides my old house haha. But until roughly 3 months ago, I never considered taking that route. I would actually re-route my GPS to take the common road I knew even if it meant a longer drive. It was…just what I preferred.

For years, I have been taking a longer path that was literally out of my way, just because it was what I knew. It was comfortable. And no matter where I was on that road, I still had control of where I would end up because there was no chance of me feeling lost. It was what I had control of. And I liked the feeling of that.

Because of my personal preference, I was blinded to the other, more efficient road. And it was not like I was unaware of its existence, because my GPS offered guidance down it time and time again. But I refused. I, like the pharisees who had a preference of what their Messiah would look like, missed out on a blessing for years because I chose to limit my perspective.

Now in the grand scheme of things, this road situation may seem like a silly example, but I did in fact waste time, money (considering the extra gas…especially in this economy), and the opportunity to see the other side of this town I have lived in nearly all my life. Slowly, but surely, what was once a good thing, became a burden because I refused to let my GPS show me a new way of doing things.

I think preferences effect more than what we choose to eat, where we drive, or how we dress. Honestly, I think they can play a large role in our relationship with God. I blogged about the blessing of a limited perspective a few weeks ago, but I feel there is a difference between a circumstance we close our mind in versus one we truly cannot change. It’s our preferences that can keep us on the fence in life because we want it our way and refuse to move until we see a path we like. But how many blessings must one miss and how much time, joy, and freedom does it have to cost them to consider they are not the Sovereign One?

I have heard people talk about the various ways God moves. I have heard about miracle stories, visions, and wisdom provided from God. But what I see is a repetition of people saying “to hear, see, or know about God, just do ____”. That blank typically ranges from reading scripture, seeking counsel, or praying more. Now don’t get me wrong, I fully believe all of those are crucial to the ones who follow Christ. But I have noticed we serve a powerful God who, often times, reaches out to us in unexpected ways while calling us down unexpected paths.

For one to confine God’s ability to communicate to us or move in our lives to a simple list of 5 or so sources, is a foolish thing to do. Though I am guilty of this.

I find it common that the way I “wait” on God after I seek Him out in prayer consists of a list of preferred interactions. And embarrassingly, they are lists of very specific ways of communicating. For example, a lot of the time I find myself praying, “God, I know a lot of faithful and respectable people around me say I should do ____, but can you make it more clear?”. Now I am not saying peace is a terrible thing to seek from God, but sometimes, as much distrust as my heart generally has towards people, God speaks through them and part of acting in faith is recognizing that I have to surrender my desire for a physical sign that tells me exactly what to do, and trust that God is capable of guiding me through His followers, though they too are broken as myself. And through an act of faith like that, it makes it more clear to see the problem is not a lack of clarity from God, but a controlling issue in my own heart – a hidden preference of mine to take God’s role in my life.

My dear friend, a preference in itself is not a sin. But just as pride can turn any good desire into a self-centered one, we must be careful about the way our preferences can mold our minds to only accept guidance we consider good enough. My GPS knew when I moved to my new house, that the better path to follow was one I did not know but would ultimately be a blessing in many ways. Though, I chose to shut it out. And unfortunately, I can’t say I have not done that same thing with God.

New paths are not always desirable at first. No one likes to feel insecure and out of control. But the beautiful thing about being in a relationship with God, is that He never leaves our side. Much like that GPS kept insisting it could walk me through that new road and still end up in a good destination. How long will you reject God’s extended love and guidance because you do not prefer the way He chose to go about it?

Thoughts to consider:

What are the most common places you look for God’s involvement in your life?

Do you spend time considering the other ways or places He may speak to or lead you by?

Are there any preferences you think may be confining God’s power to a box in your life?

Consider the awe you could grow for God by spending time in true silence during prayer, so that He has room to press anything He wants to on your heart.

“What if it doesn’t look like what I thought it would?
What if you come in ways I didn’t know you could?
Offend my mind. Reveal my heart.
I won’t worship preference anymore”
– Preference by Rachel Morley