It is a fallacy to think that only the young wrestle with God's plan and direction. I have found through many years of ministry that young and old alike have these same questions.
How are we supposed to determine direction? What are some good methods of finding out God's plan and then lining up with it? Some may say we should seek wise counsel. Good idea and I do recommend it. Others say we are to get up today and go with the flow......mmmmm well I do believe we should go with the flow in life but not as the determiner of God's plans and purposes for us.
Our answer is found in a familiar passage in Romans.....
12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
This is from the NLT which I believe has got it right. Notice the last part of this passage. It defines the way we discern God's will for our life.
First it is not by copying the worlds way of doing things. So often when we seek the counsel of others it is twisted because of their worldly prospective. Even well intentioned friends and family can often give worldly advice. We must be careful to determine God's will by godly methods. If your counselors give advise not based upon scripture then be careful. We open ourselves up to all types of error when we stray from the authority of God's word.
Secondly, we must allow our "earthy" thinking to be changed via the wisdom that only comes for the ONE who alone is Wisdom, God Himself. Only by carefully searching and praying through His word can we be sure the direction we are getting is from HIM! Simply to fall back into what we do well, or what we have always done is dangerous and so deceptive. It may feel right but be dead wrong. We must purpose that HIS word will guide us and then let HIM direct us.
Thirdly, note here that then we can LEARN to KNOW God's will. We always want spirituality to come quickly and usually easily. Yet often times God makes it a process. A process of study, meditation (thinking it through after careful study) and application will enable all of us to HEAR from heaven.
Sadly, too many want the easy way out. We either look for some "sign" to give us direction, or well intentioned friend to show us the way, or even go with what feels right only to discover we have been dead wrong. God has given us clear direction to find clear direction. We just have to PERSONALLY search, PERSONALLY pray and PERSONALLY determine what HE has to say to us. But it will not be without us first giving ourselves to HIM for HIM to have HIS way.
This is the rub. Do we really want what HE wants? Are we really willing to present our lives to HIM for HIS absolute control?
As one dear man I was speaking with from another church asked me, what do you think I should do regarding God's direction for my life? My response is this, God has saved you, sealed you and as a Loving Father has welcomed you in to HIS family. He more than anyone wants you to know HIS will. Have you asked HIM? In prayer have you said, Father, show me what you want me to do? Direct me as I search your word for clear direction for my life.
I will close with this...... If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:5...
Blessings
Bruce
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