(2 Cor 1:1) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God . . .
One of the most frequently asked question by a serious Christian is, “What is the will of God for my life?” We need guidance. We are seeking direction. We don’t know about the future, but we at least want to know the stepping-stones to get there. How can we know the will of God? Can we be certain about it? How can we know we’re on the right track?
I think it would be helpful if we would break it all down into the general will of God and the specific will of God. The general will of God is what has already been revealed from Scripture. Things like loving the Lord with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself. Reading your Bible. Praying. Sharing your faith. The general will of God is not too hard to find. You just have to read your Bible.
But then there is the specific will of God. This is the “tricky” part. “Should I marry?” “Should I move?” “Should I change jobs?” We want what God wants so we pray (Luke 22:42) . . . not My will, but Yours, be done." But after we pray that prayer what should we do?
May I make a suggestion? Just do the general will of God and leave the specific will of God to the Lord. Walk in the light that you have. There is plenty to do within the revealed will of God that will keep you busy as God unfolds His specific will.
We fixate too much on the specific will of God. We get anxious about what we don’t know instead of concentrating on what we do know. (Deu 29:29) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
But what about those times when a decision is to be made? I think the best scripture to give you would be this: (Psa 37:5) Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. First pray about it and commit it to the Lord. Get others to pray for you. Then trust the Lord that He will reveal to you His plan for your life. Then watch Him do it!
The Bible says . . . Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psa 37:4) You have committed it all to the Lord so now enjoy your relationship with the Lord. Refuse to obsess over having to know everything. Do what you can towards the answer but then rest in the Lord and wait on Him. (Isa 64:4) . . . God . . . acts for the one who waits for Him. Waiting on the Lord is the most aggressive thing you can do.
The Lord will never leave you in the dark. You can trust Him to lead you into that marvelous plan He has for you. Has He ever misled you? Hasn’t He always shown you the way? Why would He stop now? Just breathe this prayer “. . . Your will be done . . .” (Mat 6:10) And smile!
Louie