Isn’t that the $10,000 question for most believers? What is God’s will for my life? How do I discern what he wants me to do? What if I make the wrong decision? The what-if’s threaten to overwhelm us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some, the struggle is primarily with the weightier choices in life – who to marry, where to live, what career path to pursue, etc. Others of us may lean toward overanalyzing God’s will with even the more mundane decisions in life – i.e., which plumber to hire for the bathroom shower repair (yes, speaking from personal experience). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do we mean by God’s “will” anyway? From my simple understanding, God has at least two “wills”. First, there’s his secret (or sovereign) will. God directs or wills every single thing that takes place in my life, your life…in the entire universe! Nothing happens outside of his control but he doesn’t reveal it to us before it happens. Instead, he asks us to obey and trust him and promises he will be with us. I believe he reveals a little at a time as we allow him to lead us. He gives us what we need and the rest remains secret for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of his secret will, an applicable go-to verse of mine is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.<\/p>\nProverbs 3:5-6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Second, there is God’s revealed will. God has made this will clearly known in the pages of the Old and New Testaments. Scripture tells us not to lie, be greedy, steal, or commit adultery. His word also commands us to love our neighbors, to be humble and to serve others. We are to spread the Gospel to all the earth. Those are all examples of his revealed will. That’s why it is so important for you and me and all believers to study his word. We can’t know what he wills for us if we’re not familiar with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okay, you say. That makes sense. But what if I feel like God might be leading me a certain way and I’m not sure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well folks – that’s where I struggle, too! Being the analytical human that I am, I take everything apart and look at it 50 different ways. I’m not one who quickly and confidently says “This is it!” and moves forward. I have difficulty deciding which entre to order from a Chinese food menu!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What steps can I take to determine God’s will for my situation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If we take a step-wise approach, the first step should probably be to line our choice up with scripture. Are there clear contradictions? If so, we might have our answer right there. On the other hand, if scripture doesn’t speak directly to our situation it’s time to move to step two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray about it. Ask the Lord for his guidance and that he would grant you peace with the decision. Pray about it some more. Bounce it off trusted Christian friends or loved ones. We tend to keep too much to ourselves when really we need to be praying and interceding for each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If after seeking direction from God’s word and from prayer you still feel in your heart that this is perhaps God leading you, I think there comes a time when you have to take the first step in faith and watch what God does with it. All the good intentions in the world are worthless if we don’t act on them. And this is often the most difficult part for me!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If after seeking direction from God’s word and from prayer you still feel in your heart that this is perhaps God leading you, I think there comes a time when you have to take the first step in faith and watch what God does with it. All the good intentions in the world are worthless if we don’t act on them. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Relevant personal example – After working full-time for decades, I have been a homemaker for the past almost two years which has been a huge blessing. There’s been more time to focus on my domestic responsibilities which reduces the burden for my husband. We’ve had the flexibility to pull off some state park adventures I’d never have been able to do working full time. It’s lowered my stress level tremendously. I’m also loving the ability to spend focused time on my devotions and my bible studies rather than feeling like I have to rush to complete them for lack of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, I am an introvert. Too much interaction with others wears me out. I enjoy my alone time (ironic, because a big part of my career for years was training others and I’m actually good at it). However – you knew that was coming – I have this feeling deep down that I’m not doing all God would want me to do just sitting in my house day after day. It’s difficult to share Christ’s love when we’re not around people to share it with. I’ve had a longing to help the hurting somehow. God doesn’t exempt me just because I’m not an extrovert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for the hand of God working in your life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here’s where it gets really cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mentioned several months ago to our church office that since I wasn’t currently working, I’d have availability to help with other needs during the day. I also threw out that if they knew anyone who needed help with Excel to let me know (admittedly and odd, random statement), because I’m not currently putting those skills to use. And then I thought no more of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of the blue (not to God, but to me) the office manager called asking if I’d be interested in a part-time position as an admin assistant to the county jail chaplain. She knows the chaplain and thought of me when he mentioned the need to her, because it specifically required Excel skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn’t looking for a job. I was enjoying myself and all my new-found free time at home. But my heart tugged at me to call her back for more info. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I met with the chaplain and board chairman. I prayed about it. I’ve often commented that, when faced with difficult decisions, I wish God would place a bright orange billboard in front of me with instructions. There was no billboard, though the chaplain was wearing a bright orange shirt at our meeting. I really believe God has a sense of humor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been praying to God to help me shine a light somehow into this dark world for Him. And while nothing in my mind was thinking “new job”, God’s ways aren’t always our ways. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I have been praying to God to help me shine a light somehow into this dark world for Him. And while nothing in my mind was thinking “new job”, God’s ways aren’t always our ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s see – we have a chaplain at the largest prison facility in Iowa with a fire in his heart to spread the Gospel to those who are broken and hurting but he’s bogged down with clerical work. I am painfully aware, from my own experience with my daughter (her addictions and her being in and 0ut of jail) that she is broken and hurting. Though I wish I could heal her, I know only God can. And there are so many others who, like her, are broken and who come into that jail system on a daily basis. God blesses each of us with our own unique gifts. It would seem God is giving me the opportunity to use the clerical and analytical skills he’s gifted me with to lighten chaplain’s burden so that he can concentrate on using the gifts God has given him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m reminded of the women who traveled with Jesus and his disciples to help support them. These women weren’t part of the twelve “official” apostles, yet they were integral to Jesus’s ministry. I pray that God will guide me in this new endeavor so that I might be of value to a jail ministry whose desire is to help the hurting by leading them to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how can I be certain this really is what God wants me to do? What if I’m making a wrong decision? How do I know it’s God’s will and not just coincidence?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, God is sovereign – so nothing is truly “coincidence” in life. His hand is in all of it. And simply how this job opportunity came to me would seem to be him answering my prayers for guidance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digging deeper – while I can’t be 100% certain because God’s thoughts are higher than my thoughts, I can analyze the opportunity and see how it lines up with scripture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does God’s word have to say?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, working portions of two days each week will cut down on the time I waste mindlessly scrolling through news and social media. Instead, that time will be used in a small way to help make a difference for those in need, rather than being unfruitful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.<\/p>\nTitus 3:14<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Second, God has gifted me with a certain skill set (I’m fairly computer-savvy, I’m detail-oriented, and I’m good with analysis) and those skills are currently underutilized at home. He has set in front of me a way I can use these gifts to serve another believer who is working to win souls for Christ. How awesome is that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God\u2019s varied grace:<\/p>\n1 Peter 4:10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Third, this will be the longest drive I’ve ever had to a workplace – 25 miles one way (30 minutes if traffic on the freeway isn’t snarled). So, how might this be good thing? It will provide a dedicated time where I’m pulled away from all other distractions. I could use the time to pray or listen (and maybe sing along) to uplifting music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look no further than the Psalms to understand how important music can be for God’s people. And as for praying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.<\/p>\nColossians 4:2<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Fourth, not gonna lie. Even though I’ve had interacted with an addict for years and am painfully aware of the lifestyle that goes with it (including the crime), walking through the the 7-acre prison facility is both intimidating and humbling and I was just in the hallways and the admin area. It’s nothing like the cushy office settings where I’ve worked before. And this is good. It will take me out of my comfort zone. Is it a little scary? Yes. Will I need to lean on God? Also yes. And that’s how we grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,<\/p>\nColossians 3:12<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, the chaplain has been upfront about his willingness to be flexible as far as schedule which is the one thing that was very important to me in considering working again. My family still comes first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So as for discerning God’s will, I know from his word that he desires for us to do good and avoid evil, to love others and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Comparing those commands to this new position assures me that it lines up properly with his revealed will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for God’s secret will – I pray that he will grant me the ability to trust him to work things for my good and for his glory and that he will encourage me to do my best to live in his revealed will as I step out in faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.<\/p>\nRomans 8:28<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

What is your process for discerning God’s will in your own situations? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for an additional read on finding God’s will for our lives, here’s a really helpful post from the Gospel Coalition<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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