As Christians, we know God has a plan for each of our lives, ‘specific good works he has prepared for you to do,’ (Ephesians 2:10), but when so many paths are open to us today, how do we find the path He would have for us? And if we get it wrong, which seems more of a possibility than ever before, are we doomed to live outside of God’s will for the rest of our lives? Thankfully, God is bigger than our wrong decisions. His purposes will be fulfilled and, in His sovereignty, He weaves those purposes through our lives. We will get it wrong sometimes but even then, He works for His glory and our good.
So how do we seek God’s will for our lives? Here are some guidelines.
Know God – The one factor which is non-negotiable as we seek God’s calling on our lives is our relationship with the Lord. Think of Christmas shopping! Consider how easy it is to buy gifts for a best friend or a spouse, but how difficult to decide on a gift for Aunt Mabel. The reason? You haven’t seen Aunt Mabel for years! You spend time with your loved one, you listen to them as they express their hearts, you learn what they desire. When it comes to a gift, you know exactly what they want. For Aunt Mabel, you have no idea. If we want to seek God’s will for our lives, we must be in a close, ongoing relationship with Him, reading Scripture to know His heart, learning to hear His voice. We cannot keep our distance for years and then suddenly expect to know the heart of our Lord. The deeper our relationship, the more we will know His will for our lives.
Set your Expectations – Often we long for a supernatural, unequivocal answer from the Lord. Sometimes, He does respond like that, in an audible voice or in a Bible verse stating the precise answer. The Lord guides as he chooses and we dare not limit Him. However, in my experience, God gives that undeniable guidance when He knows the path ahead will be difficult. When it will cost us much, He guides in supernatural ways for our encouragement and assurance. However, for most of our decisions, God chooses to guide us through ordinary means.
Pray – Commit your decision to the Lord and commit to keep praying, asking God to make his will known to you. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you,” James 1:5.
Think about your circumstances – You have a unique life experience and you have specific opportunities and specific people whose lives you touch. God has called you into this time and space and you are called to meet the needs of those within your unique sphere.
Seek Godly Advice – “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety,” Proverbs 11:14. Ask spiritually mature Christians you know for their wise counsel and ask them to pray with and for you about your decision.
Search God’s Word – Is there a similar situation to yours recorded in the Bible? Did anyone face a similar crossroads? What did they do? Was God pleased with their response? Be open to the Holy Spirit guiding you as you search.
Your Gifting – How has God gifted you and what natural personality type has he given you? When God has a work for you to do, he will have been equipping you for that work. ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully,’ Romans 12: 6-8.
Notice your desires and what brings you joy – If we are living in a close walk with the Lord, the Spirit often gives us desires in line with God’s will. Someone may feel joy working with the elderly, some will have deep compassion for those who are lonely, others find satisfaction in preaching. We all have desires which come and go, but take note of those which are:
- Recurrent. They come back again and again and again.
- They remain strong.
- They are awakened when you are walking in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3), not when you are walking in sin, not when you are neglecting spending time in the word, not when you are not serving.
Finally, as you seek His calling on your life, remember what Lucy learned of Aslan, in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. ‘“Safe?” said Mr Beaver, “Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”’
God is good. He loves you enough to have sent his only Son to die for you. He wants to give you good things. Every path he leads you on will be good. He does not guarantee it will be the easy path, but it will always be good. He has promised that if you obey Him, He will not only “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;” but He will “counsel you and watch over you,” Psalm 32: 8. Wait patiently: we have a God we can trust with our lives.
