How many times do we ask ourselves, "What is God's will for my life?" I know I have asked it many, many times. Sometimes I feel I know the answer, and other times I do not. Something I read this week in my Bible study caused me to pause and rethink this question.
I would like to share with you an excerpt from "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby.
What is God's will for my life? is not the right question (to ask). I think the proper question is, What is God's will? Once I know God's will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life.
When I want to learn how to know and do God's will, I can find no better model than Jesus' life. During his 33 years on earth, He perfectly completed every assignment the Father gave Him, He never failed to do the will of the Father, He never sinned. (see John 15:17-20)
Jessu watched to see where His Father was at work and joined Him. Jesus' approach to knowing and doing His Father's will can be outlined like this:
Jesus' Example
1. The Father has been working right up until now.
2. Now the Father has me working.
3. I do nothing on my own initiative.
4. I watch to see what the Father is doing.
5. I do what I see the Father doing.
6. The Father loves me.
7. He shows Me everything He is doing.
This model applies to your life personally and also to your church. It is NOT a step-by-step approach for knowing and doing God's will, but it describes a LOVE relationship through which God accomplishes His purposes. I sum it up this way: watch to see where God is working and join Him!!
When I read and studied this, the Holy Spirit really moved me to start thinking in a different way. Instead of a me-centered prayer, I need to be praying a God-centered prayer. What is your will LORD? Help me to open my eyes to what you are doing around me so I can join in. How many times do we go about our daily lives oblivious to those around us, or at least not focused on how God could be using us in a situation or relationship?
Lord, your mighty hand is at work all around me; in my home, in my church, in my town, in my social circles. Open my eyes to what you are doing so I can join in your plan. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Seems as though God is not just working on my focus. I love when He shakes us and wakes us up. I'm terrible about getting SOOOOO me-focused and losing sight of Jesus. More than that, I forget that when I'm in the center of God's will it is safe and dangerous. I expect that everything will be peachy but it generally isn't. God is teaching, satan is lying, and I'm so focused on me that I can't tell which way is up. BUT, God always gets my attention and for that I am ever so grateful. Thanks for this post. I'm believing God!
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