Over the years I have met many people who struggle to find the will of God for their lives. In my earlier years of following Jesus, I, too struggled. I knew deep in my heart that the only place I could find personal fulfillment and peace was to be right in the center of where God wanted me to be. Reflecting back, I often acted like God was playing a nasty game of “hide and seek.” He was hiding his will from me. And I was desperate to find it.
This all cleared when I realized that all Jesus wanted of me was to follow Him. To simply follow Him. Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) If Jesus indeed is the “way” – then all I have to do is follow.
When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit took up residence within us. Part of His role is to guide and direct us step by step to do God’s will. Walking closely with God each day guarantees that you will be exactly where He wants you to be.
An old chorus says: “I’m walking every day with Jesus. I’m trusting him to lead the way. I know if I will only cling to him, he’ll never let me go astray.” The Bible tells us, “The Lord watches over all who honor him and trust in his kindness.” (Psalm 33:18 CEV) “If you are walking daily with the Lord,” states Henry Blackaby, “you will not have to find God’s will – you will already be in it.” (Psalm 37:23-24) As we spend regular time with God in prayer and meditation, we better understand His heart. We begin to see as He sees and responds to life as He would respond. (Romans 12:2) Jeremiah prayed, “I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” (10:23 NLT)
In the Gospels Jesus’ disciples never had to ask where to go next. They simply looked to see where Jesus was and stayed close to Him!
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. …they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:27; 5)
God told the nation of Israel that he longed to be gracious to them and show his compassion toward them when they cry out for his help. (Isa. 30:18) He then added these wonderful words of reassurance. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.” (v:21)
One of the key elements of knowing God’s will is to stay close enough to Jesus that we hear his voice. And the more time we spend with him the more attuned we become to him. Stay close to Jesus. Attentive. Serene. Trusting. Ready.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) That’s God’s promise to you.
Be blessed my friend.
Glen (Pitts)
The Barnabas Group / Loads of Love
