I Will Learn to Walk in Your Ways

When on the journey of trying to discern God’s Will, there are many steps to take before you reach the end. One of the most important ones is obedience. Not the one you were expecting? Me either. When I began this most recent journey, I knew that it was important to read God’s Word, pray, and seek wise counsel. I realized I needed to stop worrying and step out in faith. I understood I needed to give up control and surrender to God. So I did my best to do those things. But what I’ve begun to realize is that there is one more very important thing that I need to do. I need to obey. What exactly do I need to obey? Well, that’s a very good question. First, let me explain something I’ve learned about God’s Will.

Believe it or not, God actually has two wills. There is His sovereign, secret will and His revealed will. His sovereign will is what will occur no matter what simply because God wills it. No one can prevent God’s sovereign will from coming to fruition. God’s sovereign will is also secret many times. This is the will of God that often frustrates us because we want to know it, but it has not been made known to us yet. However, God can reveal parts of this will to us when He deems it necessary. This is where the hard task of waiting on God’s timing comes in. The other will of God, His revealed will, has already been made known to us and is found in God’s Word.

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust…

1 Thessalonians 4:1-5 [ESV]

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [ESV]

These are only two examples of Scriptures proclaiming God’s (revealed) Will. There are countless others. This is where obedience comes in. (You thought I forgot, didn’t you?) We must be willing to obey God’s revealed will before we can know God’s secret will, and in time God will reveal the parts of His secret will that you are desiring to figure out.

Often we want a crystal ball when we are searching out God’s will, but what we should desire instead is a transformation of our hearts. Instead of waiting for a miraculous sign, we need to begin to obey God in everything and do our best to glorify Him always. Romans 12: 1-2 speaks to this when it says, “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. 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” [ESV]. This is why it is so important to read God’s Word. I’ve sometimes thought to myself, why is it so important for me to read the Bible to figure out what God’s will is for me in this situation? I already know that God does not specifically address the exact decision I am trying to make. What I failed to realize is that the only way for me to obey His revealed will is to read what it is in His Word and be transformed by it. Doing that is not only God’s Will (something I so desperately want to know and fulfill), but it will also help me to prepare for understanding His secret will.

In Stormie Omartian’s book, Praying God’s Will for Your Life, she says, “When you are trying to know the will of God for your life, obedience to God’s ways and God’s directives are a must. You will never be in the center of God’s will for your life if you are continually living in disobedience”. How well put. Let us take one more step in the journey today by living in obedience to Him.

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 [ESV]

Unattainable Peace vs. Perfect Peace

Peace. It’s something I’ve blogged about before, but it’s something I’ve come to learn a lot more about recently, so here I am at it again.

Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden there has been a certain level of unrest in God’s creation. Sometimes that level decreases, and sometimes it increases dramatically, like in times of war. But one thing we can be sure of, until Jesus returns there will be no universal peace. People will always be at odds with one another, that’s just how it is. We are fallen people living in a fallen world.

There is however a perfect peace that we can experience on this earth, and that is the individual peace God offers to all of His children. In Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The perfect peace being talked about in that verse is an inner rest and lack of turmoil. It’s a calm that enters your soul and allows you to stop worrying, comparing yourself to others, and seeking control.

The end of the verse says that it comes “because he trusts in you”. When we give God control of the reins and simply trust in Him, He puts our hearts at rest. Even when we don’t know what the future holds, we can have peace. Our part is to keep our mind “stayed on [Him]”, and His part is to give us peace. If we do our part, we can be sure He will do His because God is faithful and always keeps His promises. 

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:45 [NIV]

My Heart's Desire

As you can probably tell from my lack of blogging presence, I’ve been pretty busy lately. From preparing for vacation and being away (on vacation), to working and trying to get all that I possibly can out of my summer, I’ve been active to say the least. Another thing that has been quite active recently (maybe hyperactive sometimes) has been my brain. I’ve been in a season of much learning and soaking up of God’s Word and His truths for my life. On one hand, I had been feeling like I needed to take a break from teaching others about God and His Word and just become a full-time student of Him. But on the other hand, I felt like I had so many new truths to share. Now I feel sufficiently refreshed, renewed, and ready to begin sharing what God has been teaching me.

One lesson I learned came as quite a surprise to me. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, and most of the books I’ve been reading have been fictional novels. I know. I’m well aware that there are many other things I could be reading that would probably be more beneficial, but before you judge me let me just say that God can use anything as a tool to teach us.

As I was reading through my Christian fiction, and came upon yet another happily ever after, I began thinking to myself… I wish I were like a character in one of these novels. They don’t have to worry about anything. Even though some conflict is present, the author skillfully deals with it and works it out perfectly. Even though the character doesn’t always know it, everything is going to turn out okay in the end. Why can’t my life be like that? I want someone to craft my story and work out all the details so that I know my ending will be happily ever after too.  I allowed myself a little time for pity until I realized something. Something BIG. Something I knew deep down but just forgot. Something it took a fictional novel to remind me. Something God was trying to teach me through this seemingly insignificant read. That something was the truth that I am like a character in one of those books! Not only is my story being written by an author, it is being written by the God of the universe! I don’t have to worry about anything. Even though I will have to deal with conflict in my life, I know that God will take care of it all for my good and His glory. Even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, everything will work out for good in the end. I will have a happy ending because God is the Author of my life. My heart had desired something that was less than what I already have. This is a lesson I won’t soon forget.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 [NIV]

Peace, Perfection, Plans, and Puzzles

I hate puzzles. I hate the little pieces that look exactly like each other. I hate the long hours of time wasted by putting them together. And I especially hate the mess it makes. As someone who deeply desires peace, perfection, and well laid out plans, the chaos and disorder it represents to me are not welcome. I realized something the other day while I was babysitting, though. I love putting together little kiddie puzzles. You know, the kind with 48 pieces or less. Even when the kids are bored of it, I want to keep putting it together. I get satisfaction from seeing the puzzle come together under my care. I like the kiddie puzzles because it doesn’t take much time or effort before the puzzle is completed. I don’t have to spend hours and hours, or in my case weeks and weeks, figuring out the “big picture” like I would have to in a normal-people-sized puzzle. I don’t feel frustrated, discouraged, or like I’ll never get to the final product. And that’s how I view life too. I want my life to be like a perfectly laid out kiddie puzzle. I want a life where I am in control and I find out the end result quickly and without a mess. But I’ve come to realize that life is sometimes like a large, overwhelming puzzle. It isn’t always easy, it can get confusing and frustrating at times, and I’m definitely not in control.

God is in control, though. Although He doesn’t promise me perfection and well laid out plans all the time, He does offer me peace. In the midst of the chaos, He grants me peace. And even though it would be nice to know how the finished product will look, I can be content knowing that God knows what it looks like, and that is enough. When life becomes like a large, scrambled puzzle, I am learning to bring it to God, and take it one puzzle piece at a time.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7 [ESV]

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust."

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
   and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
   and under his wings you will find refuge;
   his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
   nor the arrow that flies by day,
   nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
   nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
   ten thousand at your right hand,
   but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
   and see the recompense of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
   the Most High, who is my refuge—
   no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
   no plague come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
   to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
   lest you strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder;
   the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
   I will protect him, because he knows my name.
When he calls to me, I will answer him;   
I will be with him in trouble;
   I will rescue him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
   and show him my salvation."

Living Life Intentionally

For most of us, we live life the best we can, making the most of what comes at us. We've been taught to "go with the flow" and "grab life by the horns". While these are well meaning, and even helpful things to remember, I think we can take it one step farther. Let's face it; we all want a "full" life. Many of us just don't know quite how to get there. So, how DO we make the most of life? Intentionality.

Merriam Webster defines the word "intentional" as "done by intention or design". The first known use of the word is in 1677, but the idea has been around for much longer than that. Being intentional is more than an action; it's a way of life. By living life purposefully and doing everything you do, saying everything you say, and thinking everything you think in a deliberate way, you have much more control over your life, and whether or not it lives up to its potential to be full. Now, please don't get me wrong, I believe wholeheartedly that God has 100% control of each one of our lives. However, we are much more than a piece in the game of life waiting to see what "the dice rolls" or what "hand of cards we are dealt". God gives us free choice to live the lives he has given us in whatever way we choose to. We can either choose to develop and maintain the relationships he has brought into our lives or we can become complacent and lose touch with those friends. We can either work hard at developing the brains and talents he has given us or we can become lazy and just see what happens. We can either be intentional about embracing what God has given us or we can sit back and take what comes at us with a grain of salt. 

Is there something in your life that you're not satisfied with? Is there something you wish you could change? Choose one thing that you can do to be more intentional in your life and see if it gives you a new perspective. Living life intentionally is so much better than doing the best with what comes at you. Instead of "grabbing life by the horns", be intentional about not getting into the bull pit in the first place. 

Life is Too Short

Today, as I mourn and reflect upon the loss of a family friend, I am reminded of the uncertainty and brevity of life. I feel convicted that I do not always live my life in a way that celebrates every moment. Too often I forget that my life, and the lives of those I love, are not guaranteed to last a certain amount of days. In one sudden moment, life as we know it can be taken away. Thankfully, for those who trust in Christ, the end of this life is just the beginning of everlasting life with our heavenly Father. God promises this life will be filled with hardships, but that eternal life with him will be a perfect paradise where tears and sadness will not abide.

Life truly is too short to hold grudges, complain about circumstances, argue about frivolous things, and withhold love. So I encourage you today to forgive someone, be thankful in EVERYTHING, be a peacemaker, and tell someone that you love them.

…What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14 [ESV]

In loving memory of Nick Deane, a great man of God.