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Monday, February 24, 2014

Knowing God's Will For Your Life

Through the years I've heard many Christians say something like, "I wish I knew God's will for my life."   Since much of my life has been spent around those of a traditional college age, I'd often hear things like:

  • I wish I knew what God wanted me to major in college.
  • I wish I knew what kind of job God wanted me to do.
  • Where does God want me to live?
  • I have two job offers, I wish I knew which one God wanted me to take.
And the list goes on & on.

I too once said those types of things.  I felt trapped.  I felt alone.  I felt like my life was going nowhere.  It felt as if I was in such an unpleasant situation because I wasn't somehow following God's will for my life.  "If only I could know God's will for my life, then I would follow it and have a better life," I said.

The problem with that line of thinking is that my Christian priorities were in the wrong place.   I should have been more interested in thanking God for what I have, praising God for Who He Is, and worshiping God in a manner for which He is worthy.  In the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us not to worry about things such as what to wear, what to eat - and likewise, where to work or what to major in - but to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you."  (Matt 6:33)

I was more like a little kid in the grocery store yelling, "when are we going to McDonald's."  I should have been enjoying the fact that I was in the presence of a parent who loves me and is providing for my needs at that very moment and in the future.

Furthermore, would we really want to know what God has in store for our lives?   Think about it.  There have been countless Christian martyrs (many in this age).  I wonder how they would have lived their lives if they knew shortly after becoming a Christian that they would years later be beaten to death with rocks or clubs, or shot, or hanged, or beheaded, or ripped apart by wild beasts.   I know it would've disturb me.

So, how do we answer this burning question in our lives about what we should do to live God's will?  I don't think we should expect a burning bush moment like Moses encountered.  Anyone who has read through - not isolated verses here & there, read through - their Bibles would have come across the answer.  First Thessalonians 5:14 - 22:

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.  See that no one renders for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies.  Test all things; hold fast to what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil."  (NKJV, emphasis mine)

I should focus on those things.  That is more than enough to keep me busy.  We should all do that.   Let's not worry about where we should go to school, what we should major in, where we should work, and other specific details that really don't matter so much in the grand scheme of things.  Sure those things are important, but they're not worth driving ourselves to high anxiety.  We don't have to worry all that much about which one is in God's will for our lives.

First and foremost, worship God.  Praise Him for Who He Is and what He's done.  Read through the Bible.  His will for each and every one of us is given within.