A friend I hold in high esteem recently asked me if I had any suggestions or insights on knowing what
the will of God is as it pertains to her life. The question posed was one that
would require some thought. The question asked is apropos to everyone. What is
the will of God for one’s earthly life? Thus, I decided to share my response to
both my friend and all who read this posting.
Knowing
God’s will is sometimes difficult because it requires patience. It’s natural to
want to know all of God’s will at once, but that’s not how He usually works. He
reveals to us a step at a time—each move a step of faith—and allows us to
continue to trust Him (see James 4:17). Too often, we want God to give us
specifics. As we walk with the Lord,
obeying His Word and relying on His Spirit, we find that we are given the mind
of Christ (see 1 Cor. 2:16). We know Him, and that helps us to know His
will. We find God’s guidance readily available. If we are walking closely with
the Christ and truly desiring His will for our lives, God will place His desires
in our hearts. The key is wanting God’s will, not our own (Ps 37:4). All this
said, how do we really know what He has in store for our lives? As the
psalmist said: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105). In essence the journey begins through God’s written word. You
will never go wrong in consulting Scripture. Just be sure you pay close
attention to the context and the peace of God will guide and guard our hearts
and minds (Phil. 4:7).
God also leads us
through the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:12-13). The inner
prompting of the Holy Spirit gives us a sense of God’s leading, although that
leading is not always what we might call a feel good experience. One must remember
that the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Prov. 16:9).
The inner prompting is crucial, because much of the time we simply cannot
figure it out. Let us not forget that man’s steps are ordained by God.
Additionally, God
leads us through the counsel of wise, experienced, faithful, trustworthy people.
Wise and trustworthy counselors are persons who want for you only what God
wants. Such persons will stay objective, listen carefully, and answer deliberately.
Often they won't give you an answer at the time you ask for it. They want to
sleep on it; they want to think and pray about it.
Finally, and most
importantly, God leads us into His will by giving those who seek His will an
inner assurance of peace (Col. 3:15). God's inner assurance of peace will act
as an adjudicator in your heart. The will of God for our lives is not theory;
it is reality. The bottom line: we have to live out His will in the real world.
Doing God's will demands a decision. And that decision requires Faith and Action. You can't see the end, so you have to trust Him in faith
and then step out. You have to act. Faith and obedience are inseparable.
To my young friend
and others who read this posting, I in fact did contemplate the question asked.
My posting was written following a passage of time which enabled me to think,
pray about and respond to the previously stated question: How do I know what the will of God is as it pertains to my
life? To all I say, earnestly seek and you will find His will for your life.
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