Finding God's Will

“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”             —Genesis 12:1

The joke is told about a person, who made a New Year’s resolution to read the Bible and discover God’s will. Not knowing how to begin, he opened the Bible at random and read the verse, “And Judas hung himself” (Matthew 27:5). Shocked but fairly sure this was not God’s will for him; he opened the Bible again and landed on the phrase, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). Discouraged, he opened the Bible one final time and came to the verse, “What you must do, do quickly” (John 13:27).

Although I have heard testimonies of God miraculously speaking a perfect word to folks who have used this “open and land” method of reading the Bible, I don’t recommend it for finding God’s will for your life. The Bible is full of instructions and insights, but many do not apply to you and the situation you are facing.

How does one find God’s will for their life? Once, when I was leading a lock-in at a local YMCA, I asked folks how they have found God’s will. One lady quickly responded, “Trial and error.” Unfortunately, this is probably true for many of us. The trial and error method works if we stick with it, but there has to be a better and less painful way.

Henry and Richard Blackaby believe we often get the incorrect answers in our search for God’s will because we ask the wrong questions. Instead of asking, “What is God’s will for my life?” Blackaby suggests we ask, “What is God’s will and how can I adjust my life to Him?” (Experiencing God, 32) Notice how this question focuses on God and His will rather than me and my life.

We often read the Bible like a roadmap, and in many ways, the Bible is a roadmap for our lives. But Jesus criticized the Scribes and Pharisees because they believed by diligently studying the Scriptures they might possess eternal life. Jesus pointed out that the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39).

Jesus called each of the disciples to follow Him. He did not give them an atlas or treasure map. When Jesus called the disciples, he said, “Come follow me” (Matthew 4:19, 9:9). To Nathanael, Jesus said, “Come and see” (John 1:46). God’s will is not found so much in a roadmap as in a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

Abraham, one of the great men in the Bible, was given an awesome challenge in order to follow God’s will. “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). What kind of directions is, “Leave country, people, and home and go where I ‘will’ show you?” It doesn’t say, “Go where I ‘have’ told you, but go where I ‘will’ show you.” The details of the plan were in a relationship with God rather than in a printed document.

God’s will can only be found in a faith relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If you are seeking God’s will for your life, the Bible and prayer are definitely the places to begin, but as God speaks to you through the Holy Spirit, expect to be challenged to take some steps of faith. Jesus loves you and desires to show you God’s will as you come to know Him in a personal way. Listen for Jesus’ voice calling you to “Come and see.”