Getting beyond the guesswork (1)

“God…works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV

Remember the childhood game Pin the Tail on the Donkey? Winning in that game was a stab-in-the-dark process. And for many of God’s children, determining His will and purpose for their lives amounts to a similar method. But it doesn’t have to. Here are some scriptural steps that take the guesswork out of it. (1) Commit yourself to obeying God’s will. Understanding God’s will is impossible until you commit yourself unreservedly to doing it. Any desire to retain your own will blinds you to His. You don’t need a detailed map; it’s a journey of faith. Be confident that God loves you and wants only the best for you and that when you submit yourself to Him, “You will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect” (Romans 12:2 NCV). (2) Listen for the Shepherd’s voice and trust it. Jesus doesn’t leave you alone to figure out His will for your life. He is our Good Shepherd, and His “sheep recognize his voice…He…leads them…and they follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NLT). Note the words, “recognize his voice.” With time and experience, you will learn to know when God is speaking to you. Like Abraham who submitted to God’s will without knowing where he would be led, you’re called to surrender your will without knowing where He will lead you. God promises wisdom, insight, and understanding—not to the spiritually smart, but to any person who lacks wisdom (see James 1:5-6). So believe that His wisdom is yours!

Bible in a year: Exodus 4-6