Seeking God's Will

ooking for direction in your life? We make many decisions everyday that effect our lives, our family, our friends and our place of work. Most decisions are insignificant to us; but when we have a serious decision, we often seek advice. Sometimes we look to a trusted friend, a coworker, a neighbor next door, a family member, a member of the clergy or a counselor and some of us look to God. But often we live as Proverbs 21:2 states,

Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. (NASB) Proverbs 21:2

For example, we usually make plans without looking to God for direction. We make plans which seem best to us. And when we do James 4:13-17 becomes true of us. The passage implies that God greatly influences what happens in our life, and we sin when we do not submit our plans to God's will.

God actively cares for us by sending rain, changing our seasons and providing us food (Acts 14:17). He controls the events in our life by opening and shutting doors of opportunity down the long hall of life and creating situations which motivate us through open doors (Rom. 1:10; 15:30-32). For His disciples, His Spirit helps them according to His will (Rom. 8:27) and He provides opportunities for ministry (1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1 and Eph 1:1). He does all of this according to his desire - according to His will.

Yet, He has a plan or a purpose for each one of us according to the next passage.

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption. (NASB) Acts 13:36

God does not permit us to die until we have served His purpose. What is the purpose of your life? God wants you to be in His will. His will is no secret! He has revealed it to us in the Bible. He has told us we can know His will in the key decisions of our life. Are you interested? Then on to the Five Wills.

Two Commands. God has revealed His will to each and every one of us. And He has provided guidelines for knowing His will in specific situations. The starting point of our journey is with one of the first and most important passages in scripture. It is a command that reveals His will about what He desires to be the passion of your heart,

And He said to him, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (NASB) Matthew 22:37-39