Discernment

Several years ago, I felt frustrated with three volunteer involvements I had joined. One was significant, productive and highly valuable for the community. However, they had decidedly discriminated against people of same sex orientation. I was aghast. I am one such person. How could I possibly remain with them and be part of such an organization that discriminates against people like? I also felt a bruise on my church affiliation because they were a member of a community organization that included the discriminating organization.

So, I resigned from those two groups, and another time-consuming volunteer engagement.

My pastor told me I had discerned an important element that drew me to action. All is good with that, she claimed.

It took me a while to better understand discernment. It is the act of judging well, so much so as to change self-understanding leading to change. That is what it was. I had discovered something that, upon deep reflection, was too odious to remain in my life. I shed it and them.

Much later, discernment has become a part of my consciousness. At least I hope so! It is not a simple thing. It takes concentration and follow through. Over the years I have learned to act on these discoveries. Let’s just call them ‘aha’ moments.

Today I labor in arenas I feel are productive, worthy and principled. I engage with the people doing this work and am very aware of their commitment and skills. If I encounter a poor practitioner in the group, I watch how the organization handles it. I stick with organizations that root out people who don’t belong. This is a tricky business for volunteer organizations. A rotten apple sullies the whole and must be identified and removed. Often removal is a subtle thing beginning with avoidance. In time the apple drops out.

Political climates are ripe for discernment. Who is being true to the mission of the group? Is the mission proper as well? Is my sense of worthiness being upheld? If not, leave them behind and find another pursuit that better fits my thinking.

None of this is easy. Snap judgments are discouraged. Clear thinking is required. The roots of value are deep. Keep digging for facts. Then decide and act. This is the face of discernment.

October 10, 2022

 

  

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