One of the most common statements I hear from fellow Christians is “How do I know what God’s will is for my life?” Knowing God’s will would seem to be some elusive, unachievable Goal that only prophets, pastors, saints, and “other people” can attain. But that’s simply not true.
Finding God’s Will
Many people know God’s will for their life. For many “normal” people like you and me, it’s crystal clear. For some, it’s a feeling or impression they get and while maybe not perfectly clear, the general outline of that will is still discernible.
By reading the Bible, God’s general will for your life should become clear enough: Love God and love others.
But what about God’s specific will for each and every one of us? How can that be known? The answer is the same: Read the Bible. Seek after God and His ways, and over time God will make it crystal clear what his will is for you….if you are willing to accept it.
But here is the challenge and the opportunity. We are often our own worst enemy when it comes to knowing God’s will. Just like non-Christians, we can be so wrapped up in the pleasures of this world and the desires of our flesh that God’s will becomes hidden in a consuming fog. We quite literally keep God pushed just far away enough that his voice is too faint to hear.
Live for Him First
So, what is the antidote to this problem of not knowing God’s will? Romans 12:1-2 has the answer.
Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Have you offered your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God? Do you worship God by living a life holy and pleasing to Him?
Do you still conform to the pattern of this world? In other words, do you give in constantly to the desires of your flesh? Do you live only for yourself and your own happiness? Do you think primarily about yourself?
God’s promise in Romans 12:1-2 is that if you will FIRST start living a life holy and pleasing to Him (as an act of true worship), and you will renew your mind by no longer conforming to the pattern and deceitfulness of this world, THEN you will be able to hear and understand what God’s will is for your life.
We can’t expect God to give us His good, pleasing, and perfect will, if we are not ready to reject fleshly desires and the ways of this world. We must go first.
So, how do you know God’s will for your life? Start living a life holy and pleasing to God (i.e. prepare yourself to be used by God) and then he will show you how He plans to use you.
When you finally see the light of God’s will shining in your life, you may be surprised to find that he has been using you to accomplish His will all along.
--author Brad White
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