HOW CAN I KNOW GOD'S WILL?

It's a question I'm asked as a pastor more than any other. I've asked it too. Most of the time, I think this question comes from a good motive. We want to know that our choice pleases God. We want our lives to count and for our days to have significance. 

But it can also come from a passive stance: maybe the truth is I want someone else to make the decision for me so I can be off the hook of responsibility? If it doesn't turn out like I thought, I don't have to blame myself. I can chalk one up to "God's choice for me includes suffering." Or, I simply don't want to put the time into seeking wise counsel from people who have walked where I've walked, read the stories of those who had similar decisions before them or set aside the time to seek the Lord and examine my motives in the light of the Scripture and the Holy Spirit. 

Without equivocation, I can name one thing for certain that is God's will. It's found in 1 Thessalonians 4:3: 

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification..."

Paul the apostle, is emphatic. Know this: God's will is for you to be "made holy." The mission of the Holy Spirit in your life is that your body, your mind, and your spirit are set apart for His purposes. He wants you to glorify God through your vocation, marriage, money and ministry. This is God's will for you. 

I've found it helpful to change my prayer from, "God what do you want me to do?" to "God which of these paths will make me more like Your Son?" Or, instead of asking, "God, which path should I take?" ask, "God, which path leads toward glorifying You? Toward holiness?"

"Many Christians feel more comfortable with the idea that apart from Christ they can do nothing, than they do with the other side of that coin: that they can do all things through Him who strengthens them. ‘I can do nothing’ lets me off the hook; ‘I can do all things’ makes me wonder why I'm not doing anything. It's easier to piddle around wondering whether it's God's will that you rent this apartment or that one, than it is to face up to God's ultimate will for you: that you become conformed to the image of His Son." (John Boykin in The Gospel of Coincidence, pg 168.)

Ouch. I've been there. I've piddled around with those kinds of questions. Pulling back to ask the larger question is harder and more probing. But here's what I know: it's one thing that's certain in every decision. For the Christ-follower, I can know that God's desire is that I become a reflection of Jesus. 

Imagine how this could shape your decisions regarding: 

• Which person should I date?
• Which job should I take? 
• Where should we go to church? 
• Should I lead a life group 

Here's where you can find some clarity: this is God's will, your sanctification.

Maybe It's No Accident

Ever long for a different job in a different place with different people?

• I feel so different than the folks around me.
• Why can't I be around people who see the world like I do?
• This city, this church is so...(liberal, conservative, simple, backwards, leftist, etc)
• Oh to have friends that could talk about the deeper things of life

 If we were advising Saul who became Paul on his ministry career, it might look like this:

"Let's see. You have a quite a heritage as a Jew! Tribe of Benjamin, schooled by the noted teacher Gamaliel. So well-studied in the Torah. It's quite obvious to me. You should teach in Jerusalem. With such a resume as yours, I'm sure you'll be a great fit in the city where it all began. You have what it takes to reason with the great minds of the Saducees and the Pharisees. Saddle up, Paul. I see big things for you in your future right in the heart of Israel!"

But then God rarely looks at our pedigree like we do. "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" Acts 22:21.

It's ironic. The man with one of the more brilliant minds in Israel. Where is he sent? To pagans who have little or no knowledge of what he's best at: reasoning and teaching from a Jewish perspective. To people who can't appreciate his expertise. I wonder if he ever had similar thoughts as those above:

• "Oh, to be free from pagans who have no clue!"
• "They are so...pagan!"
• "I miss the conversations and long nights discussing things like "Why were angels ascending Jacob's ladder?" and "Who was Melchizedek?"

But this is God. His ways are not ours. His career counseling sounds different. His motives are less to do with us and more to do with His big plan, His kingdom. 

So maybe your assignment today is no accident. Maybe you're where you are on purpose.