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God's Will Step by Step
January 1, 2019
I always feel a sense of excitement and renewal in looking forward to the coming year. Many times in 2018 I felt like life was spinning out of control, wondering where the year was going. It’s a horrible feeling to feel lost without a clear purpose and vision in life and ministry — praying and trying to make sense of it all. My feelings about the New Year is this, God has a plan just for me, and I want to be in the perfect will of God!
God wants to bring glory to Himself through our lives. Understanding God's will, however, is different from casting our own vision. When we make plans, we want everything laid out. Think about the last time you traveled. When you mapped out the trip, you wanted to know where it started, where it ended, where you would stop along the way, and exactly how long it would take. Many of us approach our life plans in the same way — we try to plan out all the details in advance; we want to know all the answers before we begin the journey. The same is not true for God. When God reveals His will for our lives, He does so step by step.
In John 16, there is an interesting exchange between Jesus and the disciples just before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Jesus is telling the disciples what to expect when He goes away and says in John 16:12, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
God reveals His will to us when He knows we are ready and able to hear it. So how can we prepare ourselves to receive God's will when He reveals it to us?
God reveals His will to us when He knows we are ready and able to hear it. So how can we prepare ourselves to receive God's will when He reveals it to us?
First, to understand and embrace God's will, we must ask Him for it. The Bible tells us we can be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Colossians 1:9 states, "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (I pray this Bible verse almost every day of my life).
Your greatest assurance in this world is to know your God-given calling. Because in it, you know there is a God purpose for your life. Paul knew it, which is why he opened most of his letters with this declaration, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…” (Colossians 1:1; see also Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; I Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1; Titus 1:1). He knew who he was, what he was set apart for, who he was doing it for, why he was doing it and who he was called to reach. So in this, his life had purpose and meaning. This is the reason he continually labored for the Church (Colossians 1:29).
Second, God reveals His will and vision to those who are good stewards. God is looking for stewards who will manage His plans well, even in the face of opposition, frustration, impatience, or even spiritual attack. Because God's vision does not operate on our agendas, we may encounter criticism by friends and family who question our decisions and motives. As we follow God's timeline, we may experience dark moments and frustration while we wait for God's plan to unfold. Satan will tempt us to bypass God's timetable and question God's direction. God entrusts His vision to those He knows will persevere through criticism, seasons of waiting, and spiritual warfare. AMEN!!!
Third, God reveals His will and vision to those who are faithful in small things. He will give greater responsibility to those who are being faithful in what is already in their charge. The Bible teaches us that God rewards His faithful servants.
Matthew 25:21 states, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
The good news is that it is never too late to start following God's will and vision. We are always at the right point in our lives to decide to honor God and obey Him. And when we do that, we will experience the joy of God at work in our lives.
Commit to God in this coming year to accept His will for your life so that you may bring glory to Him. Prepare yourself to receive His will and vision by asking Him to show you His plan for your life. Seek the Holy Spirit's help to overcome the criticism, impatience, and spiritual attacks you may encounter as you follow God's will. And as you wait for greater responsibility in God's kingdom, continue to be faithful in the smaller tasks you already have.
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