The Anatomy of God’s Will
As a pastor for several years, one of the more pressing questions that often came my way was, “How do I know what God’s will for my life is?” And in the beginning years of my ministry the ‘correct’ answer always seemed to elude me when responding to this question. I suppose partly I wanted to give them proofs of my education or cite how the “masters” of faith wrestled with this question over the centuries. Ultimately, I’m sure many people walked away more confused than relieved.
What a putz I was!
However, through the years I have arrived at more Forrest Gump-like approach, “simple is as simple does”. And with a sincere desire to resist over-complicating the answer to the question, I have arrived at an answer that does seem to satisfy me and one I’m comfortable with sharing. This was something passed on to me a couple of years ago by a friend and mentor, and now on to you … to share with those around you.
As the illustration details there are FIVE key parts essential to ‘knowing’ God’s will for our lives. Let’s look at each one:
#1: An Open Mind
If you’re a thinker (or over thinker) like myself, then this is a biggee. I encourage you all to read the scriptures, daily. Engage it all intellectually and the things that seem too unbelievable or plausible – take those things to God … and allow him to respond. Remember, God wants to share in the life journey with you. He has plans for you and your family that Steven Spielberg couldn’t even dream-up. Open your mind to the options that God wants to put before you. Remember this: ”For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power.” (1 Cor. 4:20) God wants to engage your thoughts and challenge your thinking, but he also wants to show you too. Have a mind open to the idea of engaging him as he leads you.
#2: Ears to Listen
Samuel apparently had been doing a lot of thinking about God’s will for his life up to this point in the scripture (1Sam 3:10). I think about 97% of everyone is this boat most times regarding God’s will for our lives. But few us readily engage the most important ingredient in effective communication: listening. I understand we all have a lot to say and God certainly wants to listen, but he has some things he would like to share too. Make sure you listen.
#3: A Heart for God
This is key too. At this point, it’s critical to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you given your heart over to him? Has Jesus Christ become the LORD and Savior of your life? If you can’t answer yes to any of these, then the journey to understanding God’s will for you is going to be difficult. It will be kind of like refusing to upgrade your television’s antenna reception to the new digital converter. You’ll get nothing but static and most certainly frustration.
Remember this: As a follower of Jesus Christ ”You show that you are a letter from Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on the tablets of the human heart.”(2Cor 3:3)
#4: Working hands, ready for work
This is similar to #2 in regards to your participation with God’s work. Often we struggle so much with “what is God’s will?” that we come to a complete standstill and inactive. We all have “friends” that won’t do a thing (go a missions trip, help out at church, lead a small group, or volunteer at a shelter, etc.) UNTIL they KNOW what God’s will is for their lives.
And quite honestly, that sucks.
There’s a lot of truth in the saying “idle hands are the devils playground” - but not just because of what being idle will lead to in your own life, but what being idle prevents from happening in the lives of others. Sometimes the physical actions of our lives in the community around us is the very message people need to see that God loves them, responds to their prayers, is active about them , etc. Resistance to being active in your community until you KNOW God’s will is simply selfish.
#5: Ready Feet
”How beautiful are the feet that bring good news!”Romans 10:15
As followers of Christ, we cannot ignore the “go component” of Matthew 28. We should always be advancing the Kingdom of God everywhere life takes us. Even in the moments of uncertainty regarding God’s will for our own lives. It’s important to understand that while knowing God’s will for our lives is important in our own walk, but it’s pretty small in the scope of God’s will for the world. We may not like that answer, but it’s evident through God’s word and he is clearly intent on using his body of followers to engage the world. His desire is the ”none should perish” and regardless of your doctrinal views – demanding from God to know your will versus serving the will of God is selfish waste of critical time.
Finally, in your pursuits of God’s will for you life, if at any point the journey leads back to you in selfish way, then it’s not God’s will. God certainly has a plan to see you blessed, prosperous, and righteous in character, but all these things can only be achieved by allowing God to work through you into the world.
So this week, continue to press forward in your pursuits for God’s will. Just make sure that you submit your entire person to the cause of Christ. As you do, the details will become clearer with each step.
I pinkie promise.
