What if God should will for me to be poor, or wealthy, or famous, or anonymous, or influential, or ignored? In that case, my call is to be faithful in the midst of God’s will, whatever that will may be. The question then becomes, “How can I be faithful in the midst of this situation?”
Henry Drummond writes:
“That is the object for your life and mine – to do God’s will. It is not to be happy or to be successful, or famous, or to do the best we can, and get on honestly in the world. It is something far higher than this – to do God’s will…A man may think he is doing God’s work when he is not even doing God’s will. And a man may be doing God’s work and God’s will quite as much by hewing stones or sweeping streets as by preaching or praying. So the question just means this – Are we working out our common everyday life on the great lines of God’s will?”
As believers in Christ, we will search in vain to find happiness outside of his will. I don’t pretend that God’s will is always easy to discern. I also doubt that God’s will is always the narrow road we sometimes make it out to be. If a man loves working with wood, who is to say that his working with wood doesn’t fulfill God’s will?
But one thing I do know. Almost without question, the happiest, most joy-filled people I meet are those who believe they are exactly where God wants them to be. And the most frustrated people on this planet tend to be those who are fighting God rather than surrendering to him. Remember what Jesus said to Saul (later the apostle Paul) on the road to Damascus? “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
If you’re “kicking against the goads,” stop! It will get you nowhere. Surrender to God’s will and experience his best for you – whatever that may be.
An excerpt from Holy Available
Alan Uher says
Two passages come to mind that express what God’s will is:
(1 Timothy 2:3-4, HCSB) This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The truth is that I am a lost and condemned sinner without Jesus, fully deserving eternal punishment for my rebellion against God. Nothing I do can earn me God’s favor (Isaiah 64:6) Yet Jesus chose me to be His own (John 15:16); He bought me back from sin, death, and Satan by living perfectly as my body double and by suffering damnation from God in my place, and in the place of every other person who’s ever lived, who’s living now, and ever will live. God looks at me now and sees the perfection in which Jesus has clothed me (1 Peter 1:18-21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 61:10).
The second passage that describes for me God’s will is 1 John 3:8b: The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works (HCSB). Satan is defeated, because Jesus cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Yet this side of heaven Satan remains my adversary, a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). I give thanks that nothing can separate me from the love God has for me in Jesus (Romans 8:35-39) because Jesus has destroyed the Devil’s works.
I don’t really “do” God’s will. In the Lord’s Prayer, I don’t pray, “My will be done” (Matthew 6:10). God’s good and perfect will is done without my asking. It’s His will and work to bring me to faith in Jesus and to keep me in that faith until He calls me home to be with Him in eternity (2 Timothy 4:18). Jesus tells me not to let my heart be troubled, to trust in God and to trust also in Him (John 14:1, 27).
So where do I fit in to “do” God’s will? Consider Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB) Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. He wants me to stay connected to Christ through reading, studying, and applying His Word to my life (John 15:5). He wants me to prioritize my life, so that I seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first, trusting that He will oversee the details and meet the needs of my day to day life (Matthew 6:33-34). He wants me to let my light shine (Matthew 5:16), so that I can be His conduit through whom the Holy Spirit leads others to know Jesus as their Savior from sin and death and Satan (Matthew 28:19-20). He wants me to use the talents and skill set and situation He’s given me to live my life as a big thank you to the One from whom all blessings flow (Colossians 3:23; Psalm 118:1; Ecclesiastes 9:7-10).
Eve Williamson says
Thank you Gary for this silver-lined advice. As a missionary, I am so thankful for God’s unconditional love, His long-suffering in my life, and especially His calling to Ukraine with our family years ago, back in 1992. Although missions isn’t always pleasant, it’s been amazing to watch God bring people into our lives for His divine purpose.
To know God’s will and to fulfill is indeed a joy and fulfillment in our lives. A calling also includes loving God with all our hearts and loving others on His behalf. Representing Him in everyday life regardless of our circumstances.