Have
you ever wondered what God's will and plan for your life is? Have you ever felt
confused or frustrated by the circumstances you face or the decisions you have
to make? Have you ever wished you could know for sure what God wants you to do
and where He wants you to go?
If you have, you are not alone. Many people struggle with finding and following God's will and plan for their lives. Sometimes it seems like God is silent or distant, or that His will is hidden or mysterious. Sometimes it seems like there are too many options or too many obstacles, or that His plan is too hard or too scary.
But the good news is that God has not left us in the dark. He has revealed His will and plan for our lives in His Word, His Spirit, and His providence. He has given us principles, promises, and guidance to help us discover and fulfill His purpose for us. He has also given us examples, testimonies, and mentors to inspire and encourage us along the way.
In this blog post, I want to share with you some of the biblical truths and practical tips that have helped me understand and apply God's will and plan for my life. I hope they will help you too.
What is God's Will and Plan for Our Lives?
First of all, we need to define what we mean by God's will and plan for our lives. There are different aspects of God's will that we need to consider:
God's sovereign will is His eternal, unchanging, and perfect purpose that He accomplishes in everything that happens in the universe. This includes His creation, redemption, judgment, and glory. Nothing can stop or change God's sovereign will. It is hidden from us until it happens, but we can trust that it is always good, wise, and loving (Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11).
God's moral will is His revealed commands and instructions that He expects us to obey in every area of our lives. This includes His law, His gospel, His principles, and His wisdom. God's moral will is revealed to us in His Word and by His Spirit. It is always right, true, and holy (Deuteronomy 29:29; Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
God's personal will is His specific plan and direction for each individual believer's life. This includes His gifts, calling, opportunities, relationships, and destiny. God's personal will is not always revealed to us in advance, but we can discover it as we seek Him in prayer, faith, and obedience. It is always good, pleasing, and perfect (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13).
So when we talk about finding and following God's will and plan for our lives, we are mainly talking about God's personal will for us. But we also need to remember that God's personal will for us is always in harmony with His sovereign will and moral will for us.
How Can We Know God's Will and Plan for Our Lives?
The next question we need to ask is how can we know God's will and plan for our lives? How can we discern what He wants us to do in specific situations or decisions? How can we be sure that we are not missing or misunderstanding His guidance?
The answer is that there is no one formula or method that works for everyone or every situation. But there are some general principles and steps that we can follow:
Walk with God. The first and most important step to knowing God's will and plan for our lives is to walk with Him daily. This means developing a personal relationship with Him through reading His Word, praying to Him, worshiping Him, serving Him, and obeying Him. As we walk with God, we grow in our knowledge of Him, our love for Him, our trust in Him, and our sensitivity to His voice (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 10:27; James 4:8).
Surrender your will to God. The second step to knowing God's will and plan for our lives is to surrender our own will to Him completely. This means letting go of our own plans, preferences, opinions, agendas, and expectations. It also means being willing to do whatever He asks us to do, even if it is hard or scary or different from what we want. As we surrender our will to God, we align ourselves with His will and open ourselves to His guidance (Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:10).
Obey what you already know to be God's will. The third step to knowing God's will and plan for our lives is to obey what He has already revealed to us in His Word and by His Spirit. This means following His moral will, His commands, His principles, and His wisdom in every area of our lives. It also means avoiding sin, temptation, and worldly influences that can hinder or confuse us. As we obey what we already know to be God's will, we demonstrate our love for Him, our faithfulness to Him, and our readiness for His further guidance (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; John 14:15; 15:10).
Seek God's wisdom. The fourth step to knowing God's will and plan for our lives is to seek His wisdom in making decisions or facing situations that are not clearly addressed in His Word or by His Spirit. This means asking Him for direction, insight, understanding, and discernment. It also means seeking counsel from godly people, considering the circumstances, evaluating the options, and weighing the consequences. As we seek God's wisdom, we acknowledge our dependence on Him, our desire for His glory, and our trust in His provision (James 1:5; Proverbs 11:14; 16:9; Philippians 4:6-7).
Wait for God's confirmation. The fifth step to knowing God's will and plan for our lives is to wait for His confirmation before we act on what we think He is telling us to do. This means being patient, humble, and flexible. It also means looking for signs of His peace, joy, and confirmation in our hearts, in His Word, in His Spirit, and in His providence. As we wait for God's confirmation, we show our respect for Him, our submission to Him, and our confidence in Him (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 30:18; Colossians 3:15).
Why Should We Follow God's Will and Plan for Our Lives?
The final question we need to ask is why should we follow God's will and plan for our lives? What are the benefits and blessings of doing so? What are the risks and dangers of not doing so?
The answer is that following God's will and plan for our lives is the best thing we can ever do for ourselves and for others. Here are some of the reasons why:
Following God's will and plan for our lives glorifies Him. When we do what He wants us to do, we honor Him, please Him, worship Him, and reflect Him. We show the world who He is and what He is like. We give Him the praise and the credit that He deserves (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17; Matthew 5:16).
Following God's will and plan for our lives fulfills us When we do what He created us to do, we discover our true identity, purpose, and destiny. We use our gifts, talents, and abilities to serve Him and others. We experience His joy, peace, and satisfaction in our lives (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 16:11; John 10:10).
Following God's will and plan for our lives blesses us. When we do what He promises to reward us for doing, we receive His grace, favor, and provision. We enjoy His protection, guidance, and presence. We inherit His promises, rewards, and inheritance (Psalm 37:4; Matthew 6:33; Romans 8:28).
Following God's will and plan for our lives impacts others. When we do what He calls us to do, we influence others for good and for God. We share His love, truth, and grace with them. We make a difference in their lives and in the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:15-16).
On the other hand, not following God's will and plan for our lives dishonors Him, frustrates us, curses us, and harms others. We miss out on His best for us and settle for less than what He has for us.
Conclusion
God has a will and a plan for each one of us. He wants us to know it and follow it. He has given us everything we need to do so.
But
the choice is ours.
Will
we walk with Him or away from Him?
Will
we surrender to Him or resist Him?
Will
we obey Him or ignore Him?
Will
we seek Him or rely on ourselves?
Will
we wait on Him or rush ahead of Him?
Will
we follow Him or go our own way?
I
hope you choose to follow Him.
I
hope you choose to
