Thursday, March 08, 2007

The will of God

In light of the momentous decision we have made recently, I was asked to share with the staff at PACA how it is that one knows the leading of God in his life. This is what I shared with them in response:

1. God will never reveal His will to a husband and wife in a way that one contradicts the other. If there is contradiction, then either one spouse is right and the other is wrong, or both are wrong.

2. God only reveals His will to those whose hearts are in tune with Him. We must check our motives. Do we think we know God's will because WE WANT change, or do we really want what God wants for us?

3. God's will will NEVER lead us into sin. It's completely contrary to His nature to do so. If you have to make compromises on righteousness to go one direction, then that is NOT God's direction for your life.

4. God's will ALWAYS requires an act of faith (even if the act of faith is staying put.) God's clear statement that "without faith it is impossible to please God" does not end when we are trying to figure out God's will. In fact, it is always God's plan to stretch us and to make us grow in our faith. If a direction you're considering looks comfortable, it almost certainly isn't God's will for you (consider Lot's decision.)

5. God will always give the decision maker(s) peace about the decision when it is the right one. A peace that passes understanding comes with the right decision, which is important, because the path that God might lead us down may be filled with difficulties, even from the start. Without that peace, it would be very easy to turn back.

The good news in all of this is that since it is God's will, there is nobody who wants you to know that desire stronger than He does. Therefore, God will make sure that the circumstances of your life (which He controls) will give you the clues necessary to see what He is trying to get you to see.