I have always struggled to know what God’s will is for my life. Has it been that way for you?
In fact, it’s been one of the greatest and most complex puzzles in my life. Factoring in my own wishes and desires—you know my own self-serving, self-centered will—oftentimes just leaves me wondering. Is this God’s will? Or is this what I want disguised as being from God?
Twenty-one years ago, my son died in the emergency room three days before I was to fly out for a job interview. I remember like it was yesterday. I was already standing at a crossroads trying to figure out God’s will for my life and our family, but this was a blindside.
With the death of our son from a drug overdose, I thought God definitely slammed the door closed on the job opportunity. Yes, we were totally devastated. All of Char’s family, as well as all of our support system, was in California. Besides, the job at Back to the Bible (BTTB) required us to move to cold, freezing Nebraska. Also, as a relatively new believer, moving was something I really didn’t want to do. Yet for some reason, Char asked for four weeks. Then I could explore the job opportunity.
To figure it out, I developed a litmus test because I saw so many people around me who clearly mistook God’s will for their own. It was a grid where I rated things as “something I wanted to do” or “something I would never choose in a hundred years.” The more I didn’t like something—it likely meant it was God’s will and not mine. BTTB offered no palm trees, sandy beaches or warm sunny weather.
Back then I thought that the truly clear signs of God’s will, and definitive answers from Him, were things like being compelled to do a major stretch out of your comfort zone. Obviously, I took the job, and I can see now that God led me to my life’s calling! Every day, I get to help people move closer to Jesus as they become biblically engaged disciple-makers.
This all came to mind while reading Proverbs the other day when this verse really hit home: “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 3:5-6).
I still think it would be amazing if God just sent you and me a text message every morning with our to-do list. However, I’ve learned that knowing God’s will isn’t so much about finding a detailed roadmap as it is about developing an intimate trust relationship with my Heavenly Father. Am I willing to walk through any and all opportunities He throws my way? Regardless of my own feelings?
Of course, the foundation starts in His Word. Scripture isn’t a rulebook or “book of no.” It’s meant for us as the revelation of God’s character to you and me. When we immerse ourselves in it, we begin to recognize His voice more clearly in daily life. It’s like learning to recognize a friend’s voice in a crowded room—the more you hear it, the more distinctive it becomes.
But here’s something I’ve discovered: God’s will often unfolds as we are already walking on a daily basis doing life. I fight the urge of sitting around being perplexed while I am waiting for a grand revelation, when most likely God is probably asking me to simply pivot and take the next faithful step toward that opportunity right in front of us.
I have to ask myself, “Am I being faithful in the small things?” Wouldn’t it seem logical that daily acts of obedience often lead us naturally into God’s larger purposes?
Prayer plays a crucial role, but not always as we expect. Sometimes we treat prayer like placing an order at a divine drive-thru because we want clear, immediate answers. Instead, prayer is more like sitting with a wise parent who’s teaching us to think through decisions. Sometimes God gives direct answers, but often He gives wisdom, peace, and principles to guide the act of choosing.
I've also learned that God’s will never contradicts His character. If an opportunity requires us to compromise our integrity, it's probably not God’s will, no matter how attractive it seems. God’s will always aligns with His nature—love, truth, justice, mercy.
Perhaps most importantly, I've learned that I am a work in progress and that knowing God’s will isn’t about avoiding mistakes at all costs. He’s less interested in perfect performance than He is in a heart that’s seeking Him.
Think about these things as you consider this verse, "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8). If you want to discover God’s will, spend more time with Him, and do all you can to understand His heart. That’s when things will start to become clearer.
Have you seen these principles at work as you’ve tried to understand God’s will? Please reply and let me know. Watch for part two next week where we’ll dive deeper into other practical ways to discern God’s will in everyday life.
Send your comments to me here.
-Arnie
