“How Can I Know God’s Will For My Life?”
By Pastor Donald Parker
All of us at some time have wondered, “What is God’s will for my life?” The Bible tells us that God wants you to know His will. He wants you to understand His plan and His purpose for your life. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Life is a journey, and because life is a journey God has given us three things to help us out. First, He’s given us the Bible. Then, He’s given us a conscious that kind of guides us along; but sometimes it gets all out of whack. Then, for believer’s, He’s given us the Holy Spirit that actually guides us through life. The problem however, is we don’t always listen to the Holy Spirit.
When you’re trying to understand God’s will, you first need to understand that it’s not a “feeling.” Your feelings and emotions are unreliable. Feelings will sometimes guide you in the wrong direction; down the wrong path.
A lot of times we say, “But it just feels right,” but it may not be right at all. Sometimes feeling lie. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else.” Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way which seem right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” We need to understand that our hearts will sometimes lie to us, and our feelings are unreliable. Even though they are a powerful part of who we are, we must realize that our emotions can lead us down a devastating path.
You need to first understand that God’s will for your life is, for you to have a personal relationship with Him. God created you to have a relationship with Him. God’s will for all humanity is to repent of our sins, and put our trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. If you haven’t taken the first step; trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you haven’t yet accepted God’s will. Once you’ve put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, at that moment you become a child of God, and He desires to lead you in His way.
Still, even believer’s will sometimes struggle trying to understand God’s will for their life. But what you need to understand is, the closer you get to God, the better you get to know Him. You get closer to God by spending time talking to Him (prayer), and reading His Word (the Bible), leading to a life a little less confusing.
As you grow closer to God, seeking to know Him better and understand His will for your life, let me give you a couple of principles to follow: First, admit to God that you need His guidance. We don’t normally like to admit that we need guidance; that we’re confused and uncertain. But when it comes to knowing God’s will, we have to admit were confused and uncertain, and need His guidance.
Psalm 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” If you think you’ve got it all figured out, and know what’s best for your life, and never ask God for guidance, He’s going to say, “Ok fine, try it your way.” Let me ask you, “How’s that been working out for you?” You might want to stop and admit to God that you need His guidance if you want to know His will.
The second principle to follow is to trust God when you don’t understand. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in
the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” If you want your life to be the very best it can, you must put your faith totally in God. He knows what’s best for you. So, you must trust him completely in every choice you make. You bring your options; your choices; your confusion; to God in prayer, and open your Bible and use it as your guide, then follow His leading. He will make your paths straight; while both guiding and protecting you.
Knowing God’s will can be difficult at times, because it requires patience. We want to know God’s will and His plan all at the same time, but that’s not how He usually works. He reveals it to us a step at a time; each step being a step of faith, allowing us to continue to trust Him.
To know more about God and His will for your life, join us Sunday morning at 11am – First Baptist Church of Van Horn – A Place to Belong.
