Everyone wants to know what the will of God is for their life. And everybody wants to tell everybody what it is, even if they don’t know what it is for themselves. There are so many books, podcasts, blog posts, and sermons on finding the will of God for one’s life and we try so hard to do what they tell us to do, yet end up still feeling empty, uselessly busy, or confused. We have dreams and desires etched deep within our soul and we figure these must be surrendered to God and not become a part of our future in any way. God normally leads us to do what we don’t want to do right?!
I am disturbed when I see most of the approaches on the “market” today about how to find your purpose in life because I think they can easily lead us down a path where we miss the whole point and process of actually searching for God’s will.
God created each one of us to accomplish good works on this earth to advance HIS Kingdom. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Aren’t all workmanships and creations created for a specific purpose? A cup is made to hold liquid with which you can quench your thirst with. A car is meant to take you places. A bed is used for a soft comfortable place to sleep at night. Why did God create you? What specific purpose did He create you for?
We know that God commands certain conformities to His way, such as separating ourselves from the world, giving thanks, reading His Word, not complaining, loving others, spreading the gospel, and so much more. But if this was all there was to living the Christian life and fulfilling God’s word, why do people still have a yearning to do great things for God, to be someone of importance, and to be used by Christ in a special way.
Just as God placed a yearning in our hearts that only He can fill, I believe that He placed a deep desire to do something great for God as well. This great thing may seem simple or mundane, but it’s a calling you feel deep within your heart, that may possibly be only special to you, seeming simple to others, but most likely will impact many for the kingdom of heaven.
This desire you have must be surrendered to God, yes, but surrender doesn’t mean you are totally giving it away to never see it again. Surrender is totally giving your life to Christ, calling Him your Lord. It’s holding everything in your life with an open hand, realizing that His ways are best. It’s giving Him your dreams and asking Him to place His desires in your heart instead. Sometimes He will give you the same desires back, and other times He will replace it with things you would never have imagined being possible.
In searching for God’s specific will for my life I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I loved writing and overtime realized I loved seeing transformation, no matter what area was being transformed, but God took me on a journey I would call my “40 Years in the Wilderness”, which I’m grateful the 40 years part was not accurate, it was more like three.
During this “Wilderness Experience” I learned what the will of God is NOT.
God does not want us to live in disobedience.
God does not want us to live in sin.
God does not want us to live in rebellion.
God does not want us to run from His calling on our life.
God does not want us to live in fear.
God does not want us to live in confusion.
God does not want us to live in ungratefulness.
God does not want us to live apart from Him.
God does not want us to lean on our own understanding.
God does not want us to live in anger.
God does not want us to live in sadness or depression.
God does not want us to live in slothfulness.
God does not want us to live in…
I think you get the point.
Next week, Lord willing, I would like to tell you about my “Wilderness Experience,” as I think it played an important role in me figuring out what God’s specific will was for my life.
So until then, I pray you have a blessed week! I love you, Happy Running!
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Be Still and Run 