How to Know God's Will - Part 1

Plans And Purpose
How to know God's will - Part 1
By Rhonda Jackson

My standard joke about finding my way around is that I was born with no sense of
direction. “It’s so terrible, ha-ha, I’m lucky to find my way downstairs in the
morning to the coffee machine!” but it’s actually worse – bordering on a true
phobia of getting lost. Thank goodness for Skippy, the friendly GPS Guy on my
phone (what, you don’t name yours?) – who not only tells me where to go but
also redirects me if I get lost.

If GPS were a metaphor for life, we’d all love a Skippy steering us –
That guy is bad news! Run!
Don’t take this job, a better one is coming!
Relax, your daughter will be fine – this is just a rough patch.
…even if it sounds a little creepy and intrusive. But what if there really was a GPS
to guide us on the path of life? What if I told you that it was probably in your
home or on your phone?
The Bible: Basic. Information. Before. Leaving. Earth.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you,
saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” ~ Isaiah 30:21
This isn’t to say that if we stop and listen long enough, we’ll hear the actual voice
of God, giving us directions as though we were mindless robots. But it’s no
coincidence that, 700 years after the prophet Isaiah penned those words, Jesus
Christ makes the directions abundantly clear:
I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life… ~ John 14:6.
We don’t have to be confused about which way. As believers, we follow the
Father. And to really know Him and His will for our lives, we must know His Word.

When we become lost or confused about God’s will for modern man, we find all
our answers in Scripture:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and
not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
When we stand unsteadily, unsure whether to execute Plan A or Plan B, God is
already there with a good plan – His plan.

Skippy the GPS guy may not know of a guidebook to the Christian life, but the
Bible does, in Colossians 3, reminding us to clothe ourselves in compassion and
kindness – and to bear with and forgive one another (vs 12-13); to rid ourselves of
sexual immorality, rage, and malice (vs 5-8); and to let the message of Christ live
in us (vs 16) so that we can lead others to Jesus by being living examples of His life
and love.

And when life beats us down – when we lose our sense of direction, fear our
future and question our purpose; when we cry out to Him and ask, “Which is the
way?” – the Word of God answers with the simplest and most profound answer:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through him. ~ John 3:16-17

Our purpose and God’s will are forever intertwined. He loves the world – and
each of us in it. He formed us in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5); He knows our
plans and directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9) and promises to be with us every step
of the way (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Matthew 28:20, Psalm 73:23)! Good news
indeed, for those of us who are easily lost!

God’s will for your life will be linked to His will for the world.

This post was inspired by the following message.