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What Is God's Will for Me?

If you could ask God three questions about his will for your life, what would they be? Would you want to know where you'll go to college? What kind of job you'll get? How much money you're going to make? Would you ask him who you'll marry—or if you'll get married at all?

We wonder about God's will. But our questions sound like the kinds of things someone might ask a fortuneteller. Do we really want to know God's will? Or are we just curious about the future?

James has some harsh words for people who look toward tomorrow without thinking of God first. He says, "Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. … Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).

That phrase, "If it is the Lord's will," really does make a huge difference. If I leave it out, I'm basically saying, "You just sit tight, God. I've got my life under control." But if I remember to include those words, I'm reminding myself and others, "Nothing is more important to me than the desires of God."

God cares about our tomorrows, of course. But he also cares a lot about how we live today. And to recognize how God wants to lead us tomorrow, we must work on our spiritual vision today. We can start with questions like: What is God's will for my temper? For my choices about sex? For my relationships? For my attitude toward church?

When we really think about the answers to these questions, we'll notice some areas in our lives that need to change. It might seem like those changes are too hard, or that God's will is just a big bunch of rules designed to take the fun out of life.

In truth, God's will isn't like that at all. Ultimately, God's will is that we love him. And because of who he is, loving him should be as natural as breathing.

So what is God's will for you tomorrow? It's the same as his will for you today: to follow him, to serve him, to love him. If you do that, the future becomes a lot clearer.

From the Word:
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matthew 6:33-34).

We need to ask, "What's
God's will for my future?"
But we also need to
ask, "What's God's will
for me right now?

	The Power Pack Challenge In this Power Pack Challenge, we look at God's will. One way to do that is to look at the lives of people God used. Another way is to look at our own lives, discovering how he wants to use us. Over the next few weeks, use the following readings and activities to better understand God's will.

Read it!
A famous, faithful follower

Speed-read your way through these chapters of Genesis. Stop and read more carefully when something about Abraham's experience catches your attention. Now, having the whole story of his life in front of you, what do you think was God's will for Abraham's life? (Hebrews 11:8-19 will give you some clues.)

Think again about Abraham's experience. What were his challenges? What might have caused him to doubt or to feel confusion about God's will? What did God most want from Abraham? Then ask yourself the same questions. What are your challenges? What makes you doubt? What does God want most from you right now?

Jesus and his friends

Really study the one life that changed everything it touched. What was God's will for the life of Jesus? Can you express it in one phrase? What challenges did Jesus face in fulfilling the will of God?

And what can you say about God's will for John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, or the Apostles? How did these people deal with their doubts and confusion? Scan their stories; the Bible will tell you.

Remember, you have the benefit of the panorama of their lives. They didn't have that perspective. They had to live the life of faith much as you do—one day at a time. They had good days; they had bad days. Think about their experiences. How do their stories help you understand your own? Are there limits to what God can do in you? Are you sure?

Work on it!
Here are some things to try:

• Make a second list: "My Top 10 Answers from God." What do you already know about God, his feelings toward you and his will for your life? Do any of these answers apply to your 10 questions? Or do they make your questions seem a little less important?

• List No. 3: "My Top 10 Desires." What do you want out of life? Look at the list. Consider each item. Ask yourself: How might this desire move me closer to God and his will? How might it move me further away from him and his will?

Want more? If you've found this column helpful, you might be interested in the Deeper Devotions Series, also by Jim Long. When Things Get Tough is based on the book of James. It's Who You Are That Counts is a study of the fruit of the Spirit. Both are published by Zondervan Publishing House and are available at your local Christian bookstore, or for information, call 1-800-727-3480.

Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. Click here for reprint information on Campus Life.
July/August 1999, Vol. 58, No. 1, Page 10

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