"What is God's will for my life?"
That is a very common and understandable question -- and at the root of it, for most of us who read this blog anyway, is a desire to do whatever it is that would please God the most. I have often said things like, "Lord, I don't know if I should marry the person I'm dating or not...what's Your will for me in this?" or "Lord, we're looking to buy a house...what house should I buy?" or "Lord, I have two job possibilities...which one should I take?"
I think we somehow think that God's will for us is this one, concise dot-of-a-will, and if we don't get on that dot and stay on it, then we are out of God's plan for us -- it's the belief that there is one specific plan, and we'd better find out what it is and then do that! But, I'm coming to find that I think the Lord gives us a little more freedom in terms of "His Will" for our lives. Of course he cares about every part of our lives, because He loves us so deeply. But what I am learning, is that God cares most that our hearts are pure, and if our hearts are pure and we're making choices that are pleasing to Him, THAT is what would please God the most. It's not one specific dot that we have to figure out, but rather it's just having a heart that wants to be like Jesus, and then taking 1,000 little steps in the right direction. That's why it's called our "walk" with God.
This gives me some freedom because I don't have to fret about finding "The One" that I'm supposed to marry (because that's even foolishness...my dad has been married twice now because of the death of my mom, so he clearly God did not have "just one" woman for him). But instead of asking specifically WHO, we should be asking if they have qualities that would please and honor God. If they do (because they love Jesus), and we are passionate about that person, then marry them! What will please God most is that the two of you fight for your marriage and continue to love and serve one another, even on the hard days. That is God's Will for you.
With finding jobs and houses, we should weigh factors like: How will this affect the people around me? How will this affect my relationship with God? How will I give an account for this decision when I see God one day? Should we leave a lifetime of relationships and ministry to be able to live in Florida?...umm...I'm not sure if weather is the most important thing to God. In our jobs, should we pack up our families, pull the kids out of school, leave dear friends and a good church, and move three states away for a mere $10,000 more a year?...again, I don't think a little more money is always the most important thing to God.
But, if both jobs, or both houses, are great, and can stand up to those questions...then pick the one you want most! Sure, seek wisdom from the Lord, of course, but I am learning that there is so much freedom in our every day decisions...it's our HEARTS that the Lord is most concerned about. The Bible is full of teaching on our HEARTS, but it never describes the type of house we're supposed to buy, which job to take, or even the specific person we're supposed to marry. Let's look at the passage today...
17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
This comes right after the section from yesterday on singleness versus marriage. So, I can infer that wherever the Lord has placed you, in a marriage, in a church, in a season of singleness, you should continue there. Steadfastness. None of this hopping from one person to another or from one church to another. God, not your marital status, defines you. God's will is that you continue...1,000 more little steps toward Him, wherever you currently are. THAT is what He's most concerned about! We need to live, love and obey right where we are, for THIS is where God has us right now. That is His Will for you.
18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
Another freeing command here. Now that they are Christ followers, the Jews were trying to rid themselves of the physical evidence that they were Jewish. But verse 19 says that is makes no difference! Again, look at what it says is the important thing: keeping God's commandments which is just obeying Christ (a heart issue). The great news here is that if you are covered in tattoos, keep 'em! If you like to have crazy hair and none of the other Christians around you do, keep it! It makes no difference to God...what matters to Him is your heart and your obedience. That is His Will for you.
20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
And just because we have become Christians, doesn't mean we need to go find other work (unless what you're doing is in direct opposition to the Bible). But wherever you are, whether you work for someone or you own the whole company, stay where you are and honor God with your life in that workplace. In verse 22, Paul reminds us that we are part of a new kingdom now that belongs to the Lord. If you are the underdog in this world, you are now of great worth because of Christ; and if you are held high by this world, you now have the opportunity to experience the joy it is to be a slave or servant of Christ! That is God's will for you!
23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
In all things, we must remember that we were once held hostage by this sinful society, but now we have been bought and saved for a very high cost, and praise God, we now belong to Jesus! So now, our gift back to the Lord is what we do with our lives, not what house we buy, what job we take, or what specific person we marry, but by making just the next right choice. This "walk with God" is a marathon, and my prayer is that we will continually be walking closer to Him.
But for now, don't even worry about 1,000 steps. Just look to Him this morning to direct your paths, because He cares SO greatly for you. Then, walk one more step toward Him.
That is God's Will for your life.
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