I guess it's kind of ironic how much I worry about "finding God's will for my life" or "discovering my purpose". In fact, I suppose I could say it's a little silly that we so often say we need to "find" God's will or our purpose. Sure, it is an act of discovery...but are we really the ones "finding" it after all?
My family gets a magazine dealing with creation vs evolution called Answers in Genesis. Today I randomly picked up our latest copy and flipped through it. I'll be honest, though it looks interesting, for some reason I've never been a magazine reader. Generally I flip through magazines, check out interesting titles or admire the pictures. I have a lot of fun skimming through magazines, but actually reading an article never appeals to me much. Occasionally, but not very often.
Today I found one that really did grab me though. I didn't even read all of it, more skimmed it till I got to the root of the message that I really wanted to see. It was talking about how to know what God's will was. It used the example of "marriage", and since that seems completely irrelevant to where I am in life at this moment, I skimmed through that section really quickly, but the gist of what it said there applies to pretty much any situation: pray, seek God, etc. We know the drill.
The ending is what really got to me. I think it's something I've "known" but not really taken to heart as much as I should. It reminded readers that God makes sure His will is done, and that even in our mistakes and bad choices God will work out His will. He can bring good from them.
I've been afraid before that somehow I would pray to God yet miss His will. I'd take the wrong path. Maybe I told myself that I feared in the end I would take my will over His, even when I heard His will, but when it comes down to it, maybe I wasn't trusting God as I should either. Yes, we can decide not to follow His will. We can miss out on His purpose by choosing to disobey.
My family gets a magazine dealing with creation vs evolution called Answers in Genesis. Today I randomly picked up our latest copy and flipped through it. I'll be honest, though it looks interesting, for some reason I've never been a magazine reader. Generally I flip through magazines, check out interesting titles or admire the pictures. I have a lot of fun skimming through magazines, but actually reading an article never appeals to me much. Occasionally, but not very often.
Today I found one that really did grab me though. I didn't even read all of it, more skimmed it till I got to the root of the message that I really wanted to see. It was talking about how to know what God's will was. It used the example of "marriage", and since that seems completely irrelevant to where I am in life at this moment, I skimmed through that section really quickly, but the gist of what it said there applies to pretty much any situation: pray, seek God, etc. We know the drill.
The ending is what really got to me. I think it's something I've "known" but not really taken to heart as much as I should. It reminded readers that God makes sure His will is done, and that even in our mistakes and bad choices God will work out His will. He can bring good from them.
I've been afraid before that somehow I would pray to God yet miss His will. I'd take the wrong path. Maybe I told myself that I feared in the end I would take my will over His, even when I heard His will, but when it comes down to it, maybe I wasn't trusting God as I should either. Yes, we can decide not to follow His will. We can miss out on His purpose by choosing to disobey.
Even then, though, I remember the story of Jonah and how he tried to run from his purpose. Yeah...he didn't get very far. I don't think God is going to let you just ignore Him without making you miserable, if you are really His. In fact, if you are really His, He won't really need to put you in bad circumstances to make you miserable; just being away from God and hurting your relationship with Him will make you miserable.
I guess it comes down to this. God's will is inevitable. We can choose to be a part of it or not, but in the end, He will accomplish it. It's better to get on board. And if we honestly seek God, if we pray to Him and ask Him to show us our purpose and our path in life, He will be faithful. Who am I to doubt God's faithfulness when He has already proved it to me time and again? It's time I stop sitting around quivering over the future. Countless verses in the Bible quote God telling His people to not fear. Fear is paralyzing. It is full of doubt, doubt of God, doubt of who we are meant to be. We can be so much if we rely on God. I want to stop worrying. I want to live out my life fully embracing God now, and letting God lead me to the wonderful things He has in store for me.
I suppose this is really nothing new, but it is such an encouragement! Once again I see God telling me to be patient. "Do not fear! I have everything planned out. Just trust Me." I need to stop listening to myself and to the devil so much, and start listening to God more often.
