The most attended seminar at Christian conferences is this:
“How to know God’s will for your life.”
Seems we have a thirst to know what God wants us to do and where God wants us to go in the future.
Why?
- I wonder if some of us want to know God’s will to see if it’s all that great.
- I wonder if some of us want to know God’s will so we will not have to trust Him daily.
- I wonder if some of us want to know God’s will to compare His will for us with His will for others. Then we can post it on Facebook today and everyone else can comment and “Like” it!
- I wonder if some of us want to know God’s will to see if His will lines up with our will.
One thing is for sure – the details of our future in life are usually sparse, even with God.
Jesus was walking with Peter by the shore after He arose from the dead and said,
John 21:18 “I tell you the truth Peter, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.”
Then in typical fashion, John parenthetically writes:
19 (Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God.) Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
Peter’s response is classic:
Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” John 21:20-21
You can imagine Peter saying, I don’t think I like that plan, Lord, what about his plan? Can we do a plan-exchange?
Jesus’ answer…
John 21:22 “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”
He couldn’t have been more blunt. You don’t need to worry about anyone else or play comparison games – you only need to do one thing – “Follow.”
The details aren’t always there, but I can tell you God often drops hints. Joseph was given an enigmatic dream. Nehemiah was given a holy discomfort. David was given a bear AND a lion attack. Moses was given a staff and 40 years of alone-time in the desert. Mary was given prophecy that a sword would pierce her heart. Eventually, all those details became clear for what they were. But they all had to wait and see.
God is preparing you for what He had prepared for you. Today’s details often shadow things to come in God’s plan.
But aside from that. There’s only one thing to do: Follow.
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
