As to God's will, I think you have a better grasp than you know. People do get all bent out of shape over God's will, and I just don't think that's what He wants from us all the time. We shouldn't have to agonize over little decisions, or even big decision if we are in a right relationship with Him, but we do. I hear people talk about being "in the center of God's Will" and finding His "perfect Will" for their lives all the time. Heck, I'VE said those things. But the reality, I believe, is different.
The Bible is God's perfect revealed will, period. What it says in clear plain English (yes, I know, its a translation, just go with me here.) What it says in clear plain English is what it means. DO THIS. DON'T DO THAT. Clear commands and promises are just that. And here's the tricky part, EVERYTHING ELSE IS GUESSWORK. I mean, no matter what we do, we cannot say "this or that is God's will for me" just because we've done our homework. Do all the things you've heard me teach before (search the Bible, pray, seek wise counsel, consider the circumstances, etc.) and make decisions and take action on those decisions. And trust God to help you along the way. IF you are in a right relationship with God, you'll be alright. Things may or may not work out according to your plan, but whatever happens you can have peace because, and this is important, GOD IS IN CONTROL.
Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps."
Medidtate on that for a while. We make plans. We use every faculty at our disposal, but who determines what happens?
That's right. It's not about you.
Think too about Philippians 4:6-7. "Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Ever wonder about that peace? It's the peace that comes from understanding that GOD IS IN CONTROL. Things might turn out horribly different that you intend or desire, but GOD IS IN CONTROL.
I heard a horrible preacher a while back talk for ten minutes about how bad he was as a preacher in his introduction. And he was right. BUT one thing he said really hit home with me. He said that anxiety comes when external pressure intrudes on our internal sense of what is right "for me." And that is arrogance. The providence of God is a beautiful thing.
What I'm getting at here is that we DO have a responsibility to do our part in seeking God. But ultimately the results of our decisions are in His hands. And let's not make the mistake of substituting a false ideal (like knowing God's perfect will apart from scripture) in place of Jesus. That is, we talk about seeking God's will, but there's an inherent fallacy there; we are supposed to seek HIM. His will, in a sense, is a distraction. Focus on being right with God. The closer you are to Him, the more inclined you will be to trust Him with the results of whatever decision you have to make. Seek God, not God's will. And when the time comes and you have a decision to make you can stand before the throne of God with utter confidence and say, "Lord I have done all I know to understand what you want me to do, therefore I..." and you can finish the sentence from there. He may or may not bless the decision you make with success as you have determined success to be in your own mind, but He will never condemn you either. Peace. Peace of knowing that you have allowed Him to guide you in the process and peace in knowing that you have allowed Him to be responsible for the outcome.
Make sense yet?
