Am I Doing God's Will?
What a question! There are so many variables to consider. What is God’s will? Does God’s will include specifics for my life? If God is omniscient then can I truly live outside of His will? Or does His will supersede any decision I make?
I’ve been a believer my entire life. This question of God’s will and what it means in my life has been one I’ve struggled with. I’ve spent countless hours in bible studies and in discussion with friends and family about this God we love and serve. I’ve spent even more time on my knees in prayer and in quiet solitude trying to discern what God’s will is in my life. When I’ve come to those crossroads moments that arise in life I’ve worried and cried and stressed over which road to take, which path was the path that follows God’s will. To be honest, it’s been exhausting. Fear always is, isn’t it? The fear that we might live outside of the will of God, that we might somehow make the wrong choice and bring Him dishonor or incite His anger or even miss out on His plans for us, is more than just exhausting. It can be paralyzing. So, I’ve spent many years paralyzed, not doing much of anything, in the fear of doing something that wasn’t God’s will.
I’ve spent the last couple of years on a new journey. A journey that has shown me God in a whole new light. What I’ve discovered is this: God loves me. Pretty simple, huh? Yes, it’s something I’ve been taught all my life. But it’s not something I ever truly grasped. God LOVES me. He looks at me and sees a beloved daughter. Not a servant. Not an evangelist. Not even a “Christian.” Just His child whom He loves. And when you think about it that way it is hard to be afraid. Because God loves me with a perfect love and perfect love drives out fear. He loves all of us with a perfect love and so none of us need to live in fear any longer.
Do I think that God has a specific plan and purpose for my life? I really don’t know. All I really know is that He loves me. No matter where I choose to go to school. No matter what job I take. No matter what city I live in or what church I attend. No matter the friends I surround myself with. He loves me when I choose to watch TV instead of reading my bible. He loves me when I choose to surf blogs instead of praying. He loves me when I’m angry at Him and when I doubt Him. He loves me when I’m irresponsible and forgetful. He loves me when I say things that hurt others and when I make bad choices. My Father LOVES me, unconditionally, no strings attached. Nothing can separate me from the limitless love of God. And if God does have a plan for my life I have no doubt that it is bigger than any choices or decisions that I can make.
So, now I’m asking new questions. Instead of asking if God’s will is being done I’m asking if God’s love is being shown. Because, really, isn’t that what it is all about? Jesus told us the two most important things we need to do: love God and love our neighbor. To me loving my neighbor translates in to looking at all people as beloved children of God and loving them as such. There are so many people we all come across everyday. People who look like us and people who don’t. People who agree with us about politics and people who don’t. People who think you must be insane to believe in God. People who think you must be insane not to. People who believe in things other than God. People who hate. People who are afraid. People who are hurting. People who hurt others. They are all loved to distraction, no strings attached, by God. They are our neighbors. And we need to love them. When I say love them I don’t mean convert them or invite them to church or help them to see and overcome their sins. I mean love them. Listen to them. Know them. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Love them as God loves us all.
How do you know you’re doing God’s will? I guess you don’t. But are you living a life of fear or are you living in the freedom that is the love of God? To me this is the more important question.
The Paradigm Exchange is an opportunity for an evolving community to share and exchange their paradigms. We are faithful, we are passionate, we are sons, we are daughters, we are sisters, we are brothers....and these are our stories.
Great post, Marta! Great journey.
You really did get to the heart of it all. I’ve struggled trying to be the perfect Christian and always feeling like I’m lacking. A few years ago, I decided to live a more joyful existence. I am so encouraged by your words!
Excellent summation of the Gods will, all the rest of the details unfold as we love those He puts into our path…it is just that simple. The hardest part is learning to trust His plans and provision for us, being satisfied with them and seeking Him above every other distraction that presents itself in the midst of life.
Thanks for sharing your heart,
Peace,
Clint
Mt 10:7-8
You are a beloved daughter. May you always live without fear in the love of God.
Marta, you are absolutely right!! This has been my experience – that fear of being out of God’s will DOES paralyze, and that grasping God’s love, and sharing it, frees us. Thanks for the reminder. I need the reminder daily!