One of the key components of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray is "Thy will be done." Discovering God's will and putting it into practice in our lives is of utmost importance to believers. It truly is at the heart of what we're trying to figure out in our daily lives. Living in his will is our path to peace, joy and contentment.
The larger issues associated with the will of God are readily apparent; his desire is that we grow in our love for him and for others and that our lives are filled with compassion, mercy and other "fruits of the Spirit."
The finer points of God's will -- in our vocations, our relationships, for example -- are sometimes more difficult to discern. Strictly operating within our own limited human perspective, we often make brash decisions and readily choose a course of action that is not God's will because sometimes his path doesn't seem to be what we would call "enjoyable." Paul's life, as recorded in the book of Acts, is a fairly good example.
Specifically, in chapter 21 we read of some of his friends who are pleading with him not to go to Jerusalem because they are certain it will be bad news for Paul. He says to them, " 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready . . . even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' And since he would not be persuaded, [they] fell silent, remarking, 'The will of the Lord be done!' " (verses 13-14) I think they recognized God at work in Paul's life, but that didn't make it easier, at that moment, for them to deal with possibly losing a friend to those who were seeking to permanently do away with him.
Because of complicating factors, this week a friend of mine felt compelled to pass up an opportunity to move on from a current, unhappy job situation. But he did so with assurance that there was a reason things didn't seem to go his way, and that ultimately, everything would work out. I commented on his maturity in accepting the apparent set-back. He said even though he didn't like it, he believes that's the way it works sometimes; we know something happens for a reason, but we can still be disappointed, as long as we move forward and don't dwell on the disappointment.
God's will is not usually the easiest route (or the path of least resistance), but the joys and benefits of finding and living in his will are worth the struggle to get there.
Sister Terry, after reading this post, the Ozark Uncle can only bow his head in silence. Non-believers like the Ozark Uncle don't have their radios tuned into the station that broadcasts God's Will. We're all in a dead signal zone.
ReplyDeleteSome Christians have said that God's will has worked through the Ozark Uncle without him being conscious of it. One who cares about his moral values and personal character, the Ozark Uncle has wondered if everyone has a little Bible inside of them (some are frayed from constant use while others look new from having never been accessed).
Most people are familiar with Leigh Hunt's Abou Ben Adhem poem. In one line Abou responds to an angel with "...write me as one who loves his fellow men." Suppose there is a "Get-Out-Of-Hell" card for someone like that? The Ozark Uncle has read enough of the written Bible to know probably not. Christians, listen to Sister Terry and keep yourself tuned in.
Ken, I'm not sure why you classify yourself as an unbeliever....I wish more "believers" believed as much as you do! And I think I have to agree with those who have said God's will is working through you. You have been a blessing to me, for sure, in the short time that I've become acquainted with you. I believe you're far more tuned in than you realize...or maybe than you want to admit??
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts/opinions/spiritual perspectives have changed a great deal in recent years, in many regards. I have ideas that, if fully expressed, would no doubt get me kicked out of most churches and labeled with all kinds of unflattering names.
Ideas, for example, about what it even means to be a believer and to have "salvation." The more I read the Bible, the more I know the church has really missed the boat over the years....has driven people away from God, caused people to be confused and heart-broken. It's happened to so many people I know.
Ken, let me also say this in response to your last paragraph, I can't imagine Heaven without you in it....