How to Know if You're in God's Will
It was toward the end of my Sophomore year in college and I was feeling unsettled like something was missing or needed to change. I loved my major, had even met some dear friends but something my spirit was longing for something more. I knew that it was time to either transfer Schools or do something so that I could get involved in a Ministry Internship. It's something the Lord had put in my heart for a few years & it felt like now was the time. When I found the school and Church Internship I wanted to transfer to, it was decision time. & if I can be honest- it felt like barely anyone was for the idea. My mom strongly suggested I wait another year, my family agreed, I would have to move states and find a place to live & work in a town I had never visited before- & to be honest everyone else's opinions ended up feeling like a heavyweight on my heart rather than being helpful.
Ever been there? Trying to decide the next move in your life, land on a decision, choose a direction and everyone's opinions make you feel like you can't hear your own thoughts, let alone GOD'S thoughts on the situation? Because at the end of the day, I didn't want to do what my mom wanted me to do or even what I wanted- I wanted to be in God's will. I know you've found yourself in that position too- just wanting to hear Him and obey.
As a 20something, the thought of following God's will in our lives can be something that brings us peace OR (& this tries to be the case often) it can be s t r e s s f u l! But what if God's Will wasn't as complicated as we thought!?
What is God's Will? Is it a certain job, living in a certain city, going to a certain college or being in a relationship with "that" guy OR does it begin and live in someplace simpler?
Here's the thing friends. Scripture is the o n l y place where we can find true answers and receive relief and peace- not from the world's answers or opinions, only from what God has said and continues to say over us. First, let's take some pressure off right from the start.
Scripture tells us about God's Will in 2 ways.
1) The Sovereign Will of God. God is Omniscient, He knows all things before they even begin. He has a plan for this earth, for mankind and for you specifically, that WILL happen because it is the ultimate WILL of God. He orchestrates the world in a way, that although brokenness and pain and sin reside, He works it all together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. That's why we can see that all throughout the Old Testament, people did things (sometimes even sinned) and yet prophecies were fulfilled to bring us Jesus and the redemption for those who choose to live with Him as their Savior!
2) The "Will of Command". This is where "free will" comes in and we actually get to choose which path we take in some circumstances. What guy to marry, what college to go to, what friendships to have etc.
So we trust that God, above all, is good and faithful toward us. His Sovereign Will is GOOD and not evil. But how do we live throughout our everyday lives, choosing things that line up with God's will for o u r lives. It turns out- it's way simpler than we may think. Here's what Scripture says is the Will of God for OUR lives. For YOUR life.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:18Our Sanctification: being renewed and restored. 1 Thessalonians 4:3To do good by walking humbly before God, doing what is fair toward our neighbor and living compassionately. Micah 6:8Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
xoxo,
Lanissa Spoon
