It can be really overwhelming to try to figure out God's will. We all do that don't we? We try to figure out what God is thinking, where He might have us go, what He might have us do. We ask God what his plans for our lives are and then when we don't get a step-by-step itinerary: we start to get anxious; we start to ask questions; we start to take things in to our own hands... You can fill in the second half of that sentence however you want to, but isn't that the truth? When we don't hear an immediate word from God as to the next move we should make and when we don't get that "feeling", we start to worry.
We all desire to live within God's will, but how do we know what God's will is for our lives? Pastor JD gives some really good advice. It's simple, yes, but simple is just the kind of advice we need in this situation because it is so easy to over-think this issue. Here are my notes from his video:
When figuring out what God wants you to do...
Step 1: Look to the Scriptures. Is there a verse on this issue?
Step 2: Look to your own reason (which should be saturated with Scripture)
Step 3: Look to the church. Ask Christian friends if they see things about you, the situation, and Scripture that you are missing.
Step 4: Look to the Holy Spirit for direction. Which doors are open? Which doors are closed?
I think this is great advice. I want to speak to Step 2 for a second because I want to emphasize the "saturated with Scripture" component. This is absolutely crucial! If you are not actively seeking God and handing over the reins to each and every area of your life, then there is a good chance that "your flesh" (aka - your desires, your wants, your selfish heart) is going to take over. That will most assuredly lead to decisions that are out of line with God's purposes. Without the presence of God, your heart craves sin and the things of this world (see my post here for more discussion about this).
Here is my "to do list" that will keep you close to God as you actively pursue his will for your life:
- Saturate yourself with the Scripture. Read God's Word daily.
- Bathe your heart in prayer. Paul says to "pray without ceasing".
- Remind yourself of the Gospel every single day. Drive it down deep in your heart and let it take root!
- Have a trusted Christian friend act as an accountability partner and meet often.
- Live in community with others. Get in a small group!
- Attend church regularly. Reflect on and apply the teachings. And don't just attend, be active in your church and its mission.
- Serve in the community. This not only brings glory to God and advances His Kingdom, but it also redirects our hearts dramatically away from selfishness and places the focus on others.
Pastor JD speaks to the word "calling" as it is used today: a "reasonable analysis of your gifts and the opportunity and how best to use those gifts for the purposes of the Kingdom" (video). Here are the three things he says you need to consider when you figure out what God's "calling" for your life is:
1. What you are passionate about. This is what you really just love to do.
2. What you are good at. This is not the same as what you are passionate about! Look to other people to affirm that you are in fact skilled at this passion.
3. What there is market for. Look to what the church affirms, what they see as valuable and start to practice your passions and skills in ministry opportunities.
It boils down to this... Know what you are good at, what there is an opportunity for, and go after it! (Charles Spurgeon)
Rest in the fact that God has an amazing plan for your life. He knows each and every step you will take before you take it. He has made you special and unique. You have a purpose ordained by the Most High God, the creator of the universe, who loves you like a treasured child. Trust him with everything you have, with everything he has given you, with every part of your life. God's love for you is as vast as an ocean and his plan for your life is more wonderful than you could ever imagine or dream.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:16-21, NIV)
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