Knowing God’s Will

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get little Post-it notes from the LORD when we want answers to our questions? I sure think so.

That’s not how it works, though.

God’s Will is often touted as something we have to work to figure out, choose from among choices and hope to find.

That’s not how it works, though.

God’s Will is revealed in Scripture.  The ten commandments, Old Testament truth, Christ’s teachings, truth shown to the men who wrote the New Testament… all of these show us God’s Will.

For example, if we are trying to decide whether or not to have an abortion, God’s Word tells us his will: no!  Life is precious to him.  {Jeremiah 1:4-5, Job 31: 14-15, Psalm 139: 13-14}*

If we are trying to decide whether or not to move to Georgia or New Mexico, God’s Word has something to say, but not what some teach it says.

• We are to use wisdom {James 1:5; Prov 4:5,7; Col 1:9}: Will this job provide for our family? Can I do it well?
• We are to honor the Lord {Gal 5:19-21; I Cor 6: 9-11; Rom 13:8-10} : Is this job something unlawful, immoral or tempting?
• We are to honor our spouse {Eph 5; I Peter 3; I Cor 13}:  Will this job build my husband’s confidence?  Will it burden my wife more than she is capable?

These are examples of questions one can ask when considering God’s will for a job.  If all of these are honoring unto the LORD, then the question is not, “Which is God’s will: Georgia or New Mexico?” but “Which job do I want?”

My Sweetie and I were encouraged to read a book a year ago by some friends, Autumn and Michael, titled Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will.  I was shocked to realize how much false teaching I had come to believe about God’s will.

I was shocked and humbled when I read-

I’d like us to consider that maybe we have difficulty discovering God’s wonderful plan for our lives because, if truth be told, He doesn’t really intend to tell us what it is. And maybe we’re wrong to expect Him to.  Location 130

Simply put, God’s will is your growth in Christlikeness.  God promises to work all things together for our good that we might be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:28-29). And the degree to which this sounds like a lame promise is the degree to which we prefer the stones and scorpions of this world to the true bread of heaven (Matthew 7:9-11).  Location 642

And

Isn’t it interesting that we are never told in Scripture to ask God to reveal the future or to show us His plan for our lives? But we are told- in no uncertain terms- to call out for insight and to cry aloud for understanding.  In other words, God says, “Don’t ask to see all the plans I’ve made for you.  Ask me for wisdom so you’ll know how to live according to My Book. Location 975

Since we were considering a job change, I was very stressed about God’s will, aka: making the right decision.  I was actually anxious that we would pick the wrong job.  As if there was only one right choice and if we weren’t in tune with the Holy Spirit enough, we might miss the signs.  Make the wrong decision.  Suffer consequences.

Uh… once I saw my beliefs clearly… I realized how they went against Scripture.

We have a loving Heavenly Father.  Truly.  He does not hide the “right choice” (aka: His will for us) behind door 1, door 2, or door 3 and then leave us to figure it out.  Nope.  That’s not how it works.

If you are living your life thinking that God’s will for life decisions (outside of the ones that break his law) is to be found by prayer, Scripture, and revelation from the Holy Spirit, I ask that you step back and view that belief system in light of Scripture.  View it in light of God’s character.

Looking at a life change is a big enough decision.  Seriously.  When we also pile on the responsibility of figuring out God’s will… egad.

Once My Sweetie and I cleared our heads (mostly me, I think), we looked at our situation differently: we were already operating in God’s Will!  My husband was providing for our family.  He was leading our family.  We were discipling our children.  We were attending church faithfully to grow in knowledge and to fellowship with the saints.  We were reaching out to the lost.  We were helping to provide for orphans and widows.  And on.

So… the job change wasn’t a matter of God’s will, but of a godly decision, using our wisdom and our wants.  What were our reasons for changing jobs?  What jobs could we consider and still be honoring the Lord with our lives?  And such.

Very different way of approaching a decision.  Very freeing.  Very much like the Lord to love us by revealing His will and giving us freedom to make decisions also.

That’s how it works.

Have you ever misunderstood “finding” God’s will? 

*verses provided are not exhaustive, but a small sampling