Things I Say Often About Knowing God’s Will
Yesterday I spent a wonderful 3 hours with a group of women in Phoenix. They ranged in age from 16 to 96!! They gathered to discover where their hearts might lead them together in praying for and giving to some needs in God’s Kingdom.
My part was to relate some stories of what God is doing around the world, to tell how God is using His daughters for the Kingdom and to cast vision for how He might want to do the same in and through them. Such a humbling privilege!
I found that as I shared my brief message, and in conversations later, I often said some of the same things—things I have said many times. Here are a few of them:
God has good plans for you.
Probably my favorite preaching verse is Ephesians 2:10:
“For we are God’s handiwork [workmanship, work of art, masterpiece] created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God, according to Psalm 139, was there when you were made. Designing you, forming you, creating you—just the way He wanted you. And He calls you a work of art!
He made you the way you are for the good purposes He has waiting for you. Your job is to seek Him, discover those good purposes and walk in them in His Spirit. He will unfold them over your lifetime, with each one accomplishing the “now” purpose and preparing you for your future opportunities.
God’s will is for your whole life!
With the span of age in the group, it was appropriate to remind them that the “good works God has prepared for us” go from birth to death. Of course what He does in and through each of us varies at each season of our lives.
In our growing up years we learn how to do the basics of life and explore our world. As young adults we discover more of who we are and venture out in that new understanding. As we mature, we produce and contribute to our families, on our jobs, in our communities, for God’s Kingdom. In our greater maturity we pass on, mentor, teach and hopefully reflect. In every one of these seasons, God is working Christlikeness into us and is leading us into those good works He has prepared for this time in our lives.
God wants you to know His will for you.
He isn’t hiding it from you.As I talked with two young women, 16 and 21, they were eager to know what they should do next—one considering where to go to college and what to study, the other looking at grad school, a relationship she was in and who she really is.
I reminded them of a few things that will help them discern where God is leading:
Walk with God in the Spirit.
Let Him speak to you through his Word.
Discover your strengths and abilities and recognize your experiences.
Identify your passions, the burdens of your heart.Seek wise counsel.
Step out in faith and look for God’s affirming peace.
Don’t settle for less than God’s best.
So often most of us settle. We take the first option that comes along. We choose the comfortable, what we know we can do. We let others influence us to do what they think is best. We are reluctant to step out into the unknown, to take a risk.But God has these amazing words for us:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived—these things God has prepared for those who love Him….” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more [above and beyond] than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us….” Ephesians 3:20)
That is stunning to me. God offers more than I can even imagine.
This I am sure of: If you truly want His will, and are willing to do whatever He calls you to, He won’t let you miss it.
What about you? Where is God leading you?
C2014 Judy Douglass
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