Do you ever find yourself not knowing what to do, which direction to take, when to proceed, where to head? Although the will of God was meant to be a blessing we often find ourselves anxious about it, fearful that we might miss it.
“What is God’s will for me?”, we ask.
“What does God want from me in this season?”
“What should I do?”
It goes without saying that at Ekko we value hearing God’s voice. As you know one of my favorite teachings are on things that have to do with listening to God’s voice.
(For sermons on Hearing God, check out sermon #3, #17, & #27 in the current Genesis series)
As you know one of my favorite quotes lately has been, "My life is a listening. His is a speaking. My salvation is to hear and respond." - Thomas Merton
But I’m not sure if God meant for us to live in such fearful anxiety. We are paralyzed and immobilized by the fear of making a mistake, making the wrong turn, making God unhappy. What if in framing the question differently we can arrive at the desired goal; i.e. live in the will of God.
Consider these questions instead or in addition to asking for God’s will.
- If life was a gift, what would I want to make for God?
- If this relationship could be vehicle for God’s glory, how should I engage in it to best glorify and thank God for this special someone that I am attracted to?
- What job/s can I do right now that will help me continue to give to God, Others, Church and the hurting in our world?
- What do “I” want to give to God?
“Love God and do as you please”. - St. Augustine
What if our lives were a gift we can give back to God (hint hint, parable of the talents)? Isn’t that the beauty of a gift? The recipient does not really know what is being prepared for him/her. The beauty of the gift is in the desire, choosing, preparing, making, and presenting of the gift to the one we want to bless, thank, and express our love towards.
I find that it’s not too romantic if I ask my wife, “what do you want for your birthday?” What’s romantic, what’s laced with love, is when I take the time to get to know her desires over the years, plan, make a decision, prepare, buy or make, wrap, and then finally present to her the gift. The gift may move her but what really touches her is that the gift prepared is actually an extension of my love and gratitude for her. The real gift behind the gift is my attentiveness, my preparation, my time, my intentions, my heart and my will.
What if you asked God, “God what do you want, what is your will in this?” and he responds, “What do you want to give me? What would make you give cheerfully to me? Make a decision and give what you want to give me?”
What do you think will bless the Father more:
"God, if you tell me to sponsor a child through World Vision, I'll do it."
versus
"God, because I love your ways, because I'm so moved by your love, I can't help but want to give something back, so today I made a decision to give for 3 years to World Vision and be a part of the solution against poverty and kids suffering around the world. This I give unto you."
You get the point.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.”
- Romans 12: 1
Often I find that in asking for God’s will we are in an indirect way asking for insurance, a guarantee from God. And so, in disappointment we look for someone to take responsibility over let-downs in life.
“God told me to open this store up, I did but why did it fail?”
- because your store sucked, or simply life happened.
“God told me that she was the one, why did it end?”
- because you were not a good mate, or simply life happened.
“God told me I was going to be such and such, why did it not happen?”
- because you were lazy, or simply life happened.
We must be careful that we do not ask God’s will in order to secure a guarantee in life. Instead, the resurrection of Jesus Christ secures for us the future we always wished for which in turn gives us the courage to live life without anxiety and discouragement despite set-backs and disappointments in this life. Our courage and joy is anchored in that the resurrection of Jesus already claimed for us all that we hope for - i.e. God turns beauty from ashes for those who love him (Romans 8: 28).
Therefore, may I propose some new practices in addition to asking for God’s will in prayer? Let’s seek to be a people who practices God’s Way versus always asking for God’s Will. What if in practicing God’s Way we hit the bullseye of God’s Will? The search then becomes, “Show me your ways” instead of just, “What is your will?”
The Psalmist often talks about being a people of God’s way and precepts (see below). The concept is that if God’s law or way is in us than we will inevitably be on the right course; i.e. God’s Will. But in seeking God’s Will alone, we often want to forfeit the hard work of Christian Discipleship which is found in the daily chewing and digesting and practicing of God’s Way found most clear in the life and teachings of Jesus. Therefore, sometimes, seeking God’s Will is a short cut for us. But you and I know, there is no such thing as a short cut in God's School of Discipleship. Anyways, our argument continues, “If you tell me what to do and I do it, then such and such will happen right?” Instead, we are invited to “be” a certain type of people and not just go about "doing" certain tasks that the Master spouts out daily. In being People of the Way, we are the type of people that the results (rewards) of following God’s Will is something that is inevitable. It's like being a person who wants to know which medicine will make them healthy versus a person who lives a healthy life which in turn results in experiencing the effects of what the medicine would have provided except now it's from the inside out. This kind of life is non-anxious and confident. This kind of life provides space to be creative, responsible, and inspires one to take initiative in life.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9: 7
So join me in asking 3 things instead of 1.
- In Prayer | What is your will God?
- In the Word | Teach me your ways God.
- In the Heart | What do "I" want to give to God?
I'll end with the words from Abraham Joshua Heschel. During his 1972 interview, when asked if he had anything to say to young people he said the following,
“Above all, remember that the meaning of life is to live it as if it were a work of art. You’re not a machine. When you’re young, start working on this great work of art called your own existence.”
Seeking His Will and His Way,
Bryan
I Invite You to Read with me a little portion of Psalm 119 (see below)
for today's Bible Meditation.
{Wanna listen to the same thing while reading/praying?
I'm listening to Helios, "Embrace". Let's pray.}
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands. Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
- Psalm 119: 1-24