We say we want to know God’s will
for our lives, but if we’re honest, what we really want is a map of our
lives, stretching out ahead of us, drawn to scale, with all the turns clearly
marked and a destination highlighted in red. But God’s will in the Bible isn't
really like that. God’s will in Scripture is not so much a map to follow as it
is a person to become.
For example, when Paul wrote to
the church in Colossae, he told them he was praying that they would know the
Lord’s will: And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you,
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual
wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).
And then he gave examples of what
he meant: bearing fruit in every good
work, growing in the knowledge of
God, being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance
and patience, and giving joyful thanks
to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his
holy people in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:10-12, NIV with my emphasis).
Paul listed four participles (the
“ing” words highlighted) that describe and define what he means by the will
God. Here’s a summary:
- God’s will for you is to be fruitful - bearing fruit in every good work. The Scriptures even promise that God has in mind specific good works for you to do, planned long age in eternity: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
- God’s will for you is to know Him better - growing in the knowledge of God. He doesn't mean just more “head knowledge”, but that you grow in intimate fellowship with Him. So how does that happen? Small steps – having a daily time in God’s word and in prayer, joining a small group Bible study, being involved in a good church, telling others about Jesus.
- God’s will for you is to depend upon Him - being strengthened with all power. He wants you to so trust and depend upon Him that you have great endurance and patience. Endurance means the ability to bear up under circumstances that might crush the next person. And patience means patience with people, bearing up even with unpleasantness or cruelty without becoming bitter. These things are impossible unless we depend on His strength and not on our own.
- God’s will is for you to be thankful - giving joyful thanks to the Father. Gratitude is at the heart of God’s will for your life. Persistent bitterness or grouchiness or anger or chronic complaining is not God’s plan for you. But our mood and happiness will fluctuate wildly if we focus on life’s circumstances. God’s will for your joy and thankfulness is to focus on eternity, on what God has done, on your salvation, His forgiveness, on heaven and all that awaits you one day. Developing an eternal perspective is the key to a thankful heart.
God's will is not so much about discovering the secret to your personal happiness. It is more about drawing near to Christ and becoming like Him. And actually that's the secret anyway.
