Finding God's Will For Your Life
Romans 12:7 NIV--If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching,let him teach.
Revelation 5:10 NIV--You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on earth.
There are two wills we must reckon with in this life and they are often at war with each other. Webster defines "will" as a wish a desire or inclination. A command or decree, a strong purpose or determination. The power of self direction or self control. The power of conscious and deliberate action." Webster also affirms that usage of the term "will": can denote an attitude towards others as in "ill will" or simply mean to "resolve firmly."
Rest assured that it is God's will that we have a personal will of our own. He built his plan for the ages on our "free will" and seems to value it above anything else.
We wonder why this is true considering our tendency to be selfish and self serving. The only way to understand this is to look at the relationship between parent and child. In order for a child to grow up normal and healthy he must learn to love and trust his parents. He learns that His parents love him and have his best interests at heart. Romans 8:15 says "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ""Abba," Father." Abba was a term of endearment. It was a tender word used in the same way we use the word ":Daddy". He is our "Daddy" God.
We must choose God's way as best, the choice is not forced, as true love can never be forced. And we look to God as our security and source. I remember as a child how safe I felt when my father was home. I never worried about my next meal or a place to stay. I was in my father's care. Likewise we come to God of our own free will and rest in our relationship with him. My earthly father wanted me educated and successful in my life. Likewise my heavenly father has a plan or "will" for me. But herein we find a problem. How does one discover this "plan" or "will" for our lives?
I've seen people obsess over this question as if it were some dark mystery hidden away and difficult to reach. We see Missionaries give up everything to go preach the Gospel in other lands. We see people give up promising futures to go into ministry. Does this mean everybody should do that? Are we defective children if we don't? Another question is how deeply do we dig into our pockets to finance the Gospel? What does God require? How much is enough? I've learned a few things the last few years and I say don't sweat it. Your very best is not good enough. But don't worry, He understands, Psalm 103:14 tells us that "He knows what we are made of; he remembers that we are dust". Christ took care of it. Do what you can because you love Him and want to promote the Kingdom of God. We can never "do" enough, but don't worry the bill has already been paid. Yet still stands the question, how do we find Gods will?
There are three things you must consider in finding God's will for you life.
1. Talent
2. Desire
3. Opportunity
The first is our talents. Remember the story in Matthew 25:14 about the servants who were given "talents" and one of them hid his in the sand? His Master was not happy with him. Everyone is good at something. Now's not the time for false modesty you are good at something and you know what it is. Not everyone is a singer or a preacher. You might be a good cook, or maybe you can work well with kids or old people. There is something you can do. I knew a lady once that was a whiz at talking on the phone. She called and reminded people about church events and sold fund-risers over the phone. She was a blessing to her Church and received honor because of it. We tend to focus on what we can't do and forget what we can. We must use the tools we are given.
The second thing is your desire. The Missionaries who go to Africa are excited about the opportunity to make the trip. If you are "called" to preach the desire will burn in your heart like a flame of fire. If God wants you to do something like that he will give you the desire. Not just a passing fancy but a deep incessant longing to accomplish that thing,
The third thing you look at is opportunity, He will not ask you to do something and not provide an avenue for you to accomplish it. Things are never just thrown in our laps it may take a little work on your part but he will not ask you to do something without providing a way to get it done. Most of my life I never knew very far in advance what God was going to do, so I just walked through open doors. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." Ecclesiastes 9:10. Live each day you are given and make use of the opportunities that come your way.
There are certain things that are just understood. We know that Christian service is compulserary if it wasn't we would have been taken to heaven when we were saved. We are to lift up Jesus in word and deed in order to win as many people as we can for the kingdom of God. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32
We are to lead our families in a Christlike manner so we can leave a legacy to our Children that they might serve God. And we are to support our Church in the best way possible that it might continue to serve as a lighthouse in our community.
I know there are people who hear voices from heaven and receive their "call" and instruction from Angelic visitors and such. But unfortunately that doesn't happen to the rank and file. God's will is not discovered in a day it is worked out day by day through all our lives as we follow in the footsteps of the Lord.Most folks just have to use the Word and common sense as they muddle along by faith toward the Kingdom. But since the whole plan of God is about free will and faith I suspect He would really rather operate that way anyhow--Jireh's Girl
Revelation 5:10 NIV--You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."
There are three things you must consider in finding God's will for you life.
1. Talent
2. Desire
3. Opportunity
The first is our talents. Remember the story in Matthew 25:14 about the servants who were given "talents" and one of them hid his in the sand? His Master was not happy with him. Everyone is good at something. Now's not the time for false modesty you are good at something and you know what it is. Not everyone is a singer or a preacher. You might be a good cook, or maybe you can work well with kids or old people. There is something you can do. I knew a lady once that was a whiz at talking on the phone. She called and reminded people about church events and sold fund-risers over the phone. She was a blessing to her Church and received honor because of it. We tend to focus on what we can't do and forget what we can. We must use the tools we are given.
The second thing is your desire. The Missionaries who go to Africa are excited about the opportunity to make the trip. If you are "called" to preach the desire will burn in your heart like a flame of fire. If God wants you to do something like that he will give you the desire. Not just a passing fancy but a deep incessant longing to accomplish that thing,
The third thing you look at is opportunity, He will not ask you to do something and not provide an avenue for you to accomplish it. Things are never just thrown in our laps it may take a little work on your part but he will not ask you to do something without providing a way to get it done. Most of my life I never knew very far in advance what God was going to do, so I just walked through open doors. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might." Ecclesiastes 9:10. Live each day you are given and make use of the opportunities that come your way.
There are certain things that are just understood. We know that Christian service is compulserary if it wasn't we would have been taken to heaven when we were saved. We are to lift up Jesus in word and deed in order to win as many people as we can for the kingdom of God. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32
We are to lead our families in a Christlike manner so we can leave a legacy to our Children that they might serve God. And we are to support our Church in the best way possible that it might continue to serve as a lighthouse in our community.
I know there are people who hear voices from heaven and receive their "call" and instruction from Angelic visitors and such. But unfortunately that doesn't happen to the rank and file. God's will is not discovered in a day it is worked out day by day through all our lives as we follow in the footsteps of the Lord.Most folks just have to use the Word and common sense as they muddle along by faith toward the Kingdom. But since the whole plan of God is about free will and faith I suspect He would really rather operate that way anyhow--Jireh's Girl
Revelation 5:10 NIV--You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."