The calendar’s turn to January has most of us turning to our life’s roadmap in search of “WHAT’S NEXT?” In search of a prescribed pathway. In search of a to-do list.
I get it! This past weekend while resting comfortably in the eastern flank of California’s Sierras, I was searching for that prescribed pathway, but NOTHING CAME. Empty. Zero.
I should NOT be surprised. ALL believers—including ME–would love to have a PRESCRIBED ROADMAP from God that lays out our next steps with purpose and peace embedded in its pavement.
For STARTERS, it would be great to know the long list of specific “I wanna knows” like who to marry, jobs, where to live, and which church to attend…to name but a few.
We yearn for this kind of clarity in our life to gain certainty in an uncertain world. We mistakenly think that having CERTAINTY about life will lead to SECURITY which will, in turn, produce inner PEACE.
Seeking certainty and security for many Christians turns into an obsession to discover GOD’S WILL. But the Bible tells us that GOD’S WILL for Christians is knowing and trusting his commands and promises, not getting a roadmap for life (Romans 12:2).
This is God’s REVEALED WILL and it’s different than his sovereign HIDDEN WILL which is unknowable to us except in retrospect “after the fact” (Ephesians 1:11).
No wonder our prayers to learn GOD’S WILL for our life most often produce answers that sidestep the question and focus on the most important need of all–trusting God over ourselves.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5
It is IMPERATIVE that we know what GOD PROMISES because much of our faith walk is spent on lonely roads ensconced in the fog of uncertainty. WHY? Because God has a pretty good track record on making good on his promises. Perfect, in fact.
None of this is easy. None of it natural. None of it automatic. But we still need to keep our focus on God’s REVEALED WILL because if the Lord of Heaven and earth promises it, he will make a way.
I ask God to remind me that HIS WILL for my life is found in knowing and trusting his promises, not getting a detailed roadmap for life.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you obsessing over finding God’s Will as a detailed ROADMAP FOR LIFE? What would happen if, instead, you looked at finding God’s Will as a matter of understanding his promises?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
