Gut-Feeling
This morning, I went to grab some doughnuts. Since I’m not used to buying them often, I’m clueless about the pricing. I got four glazed doughnuts, and when I went to the register, the woman said, “It’s 9 dollars.” I was shocked and said, “Excuse me?” She repeated, “It’s 9 dollars, sir.”
I asked, “How many doughnuts do you have there?” She replied, “Four, sir.” I responded, “Well, thank you for helping me and being so nice, but a couple of days ago, I came here, and they charged me $4.58 for four. So it’s kind of shocking to know you’re charging me 9 dollars now.” She said, “Well, sir, it’s definitely the inflation. Everything has gone up, and someone here probably charged you the wrong price before. I’m sorry.”
So, I gave them back and said, “Just give me two, please.” Then, I immediately looked out the window and trusted my guts that this was the right choice. I was settled with 2 only. I thought: “This nation is going downhill if nobody stops it. I hope these next four years somehow get better for this country. Even if I were making $25,000 a month, I wouldn’t dare spend 9 dollars on four doughnuts.
You know, when you become a business owner, you start valuing your money a thousand times more. It’s not that I don’t have the money to buy it. It’s that I begun understanding the power of it. You could literally buy “Think and Grow Rich” by napoleon Hill at 9 dollars. Just so you can have an idea ..
“Sir, I repacked your doughnuts and put two as you asked, but I slipped in one extra for you at no charge,” she said with a smile. This made me realize that we should always treat people kindly, no matter what.
If it were someone else, they might have exploded at her or caused a scene, you know? But she was just so nice to me—smiling and everything—and gave me an extra doughnut. I came to the conclusion that this happened because I’ve been working on myself on these past 10 years. I mean .. I allowed God to work through my mess. There’s no way I could become this good WITHOUT his Help. He is responsible for the good things happening in my life. I take no credit.
When we are good to people, somehow God is going to pay us back. There’s actually a Bible verse I really like that talks about this: 'Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.' (Proverbs 19:17).
Now, here’s the catch: the word 'poor' in this verse doesn’t necessarily mean someone lacking financial resources. 'Poor' here refers to the 'needy'—someone who needs something I have to offer, whether it’s time, kindness, encouragement, or help." The word ‘poor’ here in Hebrew is "דָּל" (dal).
So .. “If you are kind to someone that needs something from you, lends to the Lord and He will reward YOU for what YOU have done” - This means it pays off to help and invest in other people, even if you think you’re being underpaid. There will come a moment when God chooses a specific time to bless you BIG, while you’re still on this earth. This is a very fair reason to never be greedy toward people.
Whenever you feel like something is meant to be yours, trust your gut—because it often knows what your heart hasn’t fully realized yet. That feeling might be the confirmation you’ve been waiting for.
The mindset you need to adopt here is this: “Nobody is taking advantage of me. The Lord will one day pay me back in a big way, and that day is getting closer.” Yes, this is a new mindset I developed this past week. Adopt it. But at the same time, use your discernment to understand people and their intentions.
Whenever you have the opportunity to do something good, do it—that’s my point. However, some folks will try to take advantage of you. Don’t get me wrong. Trust your feelings and use wisdom. The bigger investment that gives you the most money is people. It’s not crypto, it’s not Real Estate, It’s not any other service but people!
Listen up… there will be moments in your life when God won’t speak to you directly about making serious decisions. In those times, you’ll need to rely on your instincts to do the right thing.
For example, let’s say you’re in an environment where nobody celebrates you. You keep reaching out to people non-stop—you’ve tried everything. You’ve sent text messages, made phone calls, and even visited their homes, but people still don’t value you for who you are. You’ve been praying and fasting, but you haven’t heard anything from God.
You’ve been doing this for years now… so what are you going to do at this point?
You’ll need to use your instincts.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - This verse says that when we submit ourselves to God, our instincts are submitted. If your instincts are informed by faith, wisdom, and submission to God, they can align with His will. However, instincts alone are not automatically trustworthy unless they are guided by the Holy Spirit. This verses emphasizes that when we fully trust in God and submit to Him, He directs our paths. This includes aligning our decisions, thoughts, and actions with His will.
King David was anointed as king in secret to prevent King Saul from killing him. This was led by divine appointment. However, when we see him fighting the giant, he went by himself to get 5 smooth stones from the brook. Nowhere in our bible we will see him praying: “God, would you like me to pick on some smooth stones and how many?” David here solely used his instincts, which were informed by his faith, wisdom and experience to do what was right. His decision to pick 5 smooth stones shows how faith and wisdom work together—David trusted God for the outcome but also used his knowledge and discernment to act wisely. This only works when we operate in divine partnership with God. It won’t work alone by itself.
If we are being led by God to a certain event or thing, we must take closer attention to absolutely anything around us. That’s when we have to gain our mystical identity in the Lord and the idea of being led by God and paying closer attention to everything around us resonates deeply with Jewish mystical traditions and the teachings of ancient Jewish sages. Here are some fascinating insights that align with this concept:
1. Divine Providence (Hashgacha Pratit):
In Jewish mysticism, there is a belief in Hashgacha Pratit, meaning "Divine Providence," which teaches that every detail in our lives is orchestrated by God for a purpose. This includes even the smallest events and encounters.
The Baal Shem Tov (founder of Hasidism) taught that every leaf falling from a tree does so according to God’s will, and if we are spiritually aware, we can discern deeper meaning in the seemingly ordinary.
Mystical Application:
When God is leading you, Jewish tradition encourages paying attention to synchronicities, signs, and encounters, as they may be subtle messages or divine guidance for your next step.2. The Concept of Sparks (Tikkun Olam):
The world is full of divine sparks that are hidden within people, events, and objects. Part of our purpose is to "elevate these sparks" by recognizing their divine essence and acting in alignment with God’s will.
The idea of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) suggests that every moment and interaction carries the potential for spiritual elevation, which contributes to the greater purpose of creation.
Mystical Identity in Action:
If God leads you to a specific place, it may be because there are hidden sparks waiting for you to uncover through your attention, kindness, and prayerful actions.3. Listening for the Still, Small Voice (Bat Kol):
In Jewish tradition, there is the concept of the Bat Kol—a "heavenly voice" that provides subtle guidance. This is not an audible voice but an inner prompting or intuitive sense that comes from being attuned to God.
The prophet Elijah experienced this when he encountered God in the "still, small voice" rather than in dramatic displays like the wind, earthquake, or fire (1 Kings 19:11-13).
Practical Application:
Paying attention to your instincts, subtle signs, or recurring patterns can help you discern God’s leading. Mysticism encourages quieting the noise of life to hear the "voice" within.4. Sacred Spaces and Moments (Makom):
In Judaism, certain places and moments are seen as "Makom" (holy space) where God reveals Himself. These moments often appear ordinary but are filled with profound spiritual significance.
For example, Jacob's dream of the ladder in Genesis 28 occurred in what seemed like an ordinary location, but it became a place of divine revelation.
Mystical Insight:
When being led by God, it is crucial to treat every place and moment as potentially sacred. Something that seems mundane could be a divine appointment.
5. Kavanah (Intention):
In Jewish spirituality, Kavanah means "intention" or "focus." It teaches that we should approach every action—even the smallest—with mindfulness and the awareness that we are co-creators with God.
The mystical practice of Kavanah aligns your soul with God’s will, allowing you to see beyond the surface and recognize divine guidance in your journey.
6. Mystical Names and Identity:
Jewish mysticism places great importance on names and their connection to destiny. The Talmud says, "Your name causes you to act." A person’s name is believed to reflect their spiritual mission in life.
Aligning with your God-given identity means stepping into the unique role God has assigned you, which is often revealed through life’s events and divine guidance.
7. Midrashic Mysticism:
In Midrash (Jewish interpretive tradition), stories often emphasize the seemingly "coincidental" ways God leads His people. For instance, Moses’ encounter with the burning bush occurred because he turned aside to look. If Moses had ignored this detail, he might have missed God’s call.
Lesson: Be curious and attentive to anything unusual or out of the ordinary, as God may be trying to capture your attention.
Practical Steps for Gaining Your Mystical Identity in the Lord:
Heighten Awareness: Look for divine patterns or unexpected opportunities. Every person, place, and event could carry a message.
Practice Gratitude and Prayer: Gratitude opens your eyes to hidden blessings, while prayer aligns your instincts with God’s guidance.
Elevate the Mundane: Treat every action and interaction as spiritually significant. Ask yourself, "What does God want me to see here?"
Quiet the Noise: Spend time in silence and reflection to tune into God’s "still, small voice."
My Final Thought:
The journey to gaining your mystical identity in the Lord is about trusting that everything around you carries purpose. The bible remind us that when we are aware, intentional, and attuned to God, even the most ordinary details become part of His divine plan. God speaks and He lives …
