Lara Howard

teaching women to think on true things

By

what should I do {discerning God’s will}

I’m an American. You know what that means? (Warning: I will now speak in generalizations and stereotypes.) That means that I like things comfortable, pretty, logical, entertaining, and yesterday. Not only that, I think it’s my right.

But are you ready for a shocker? God’s not an American. That’s right. Nor does He bow to my preconceived ideas as to how life should go.

He’s God. I’m not. And as God, His eternal ways so far exceed mine (and every other person’s on the planet) that they cannot be fully defined or understood. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Hang with that thought for a minute and brain cells start exploding.

 

The Atomic Explosion and Mushroom Fallout at Sunset


flickr photo credit


 

But even when we cannot figure Him out, or know exactly which way He’s leading, there exists one certain thing we can stand firm upon. His perfect, refining, pursuing, omniscient love always motivates His movement. Always. We need to stand there, because God’s ways sometimes include very anti-American tactics…

like suffering…

and rejection.

(So un-American.)

Just because something’s difficult, challenging, or even downright painful doesn’t mean it isn’t right. Just because it’s taking longer than we hoped or strips us of nearly every comfort, doesn’t mean we’re necessarily on the wrong path. (Acts 21:11-14)

And on the flip side, just because throngs of people follow us on Twitter or friend us on Facebook or share our blog posts or pat our backs for a job “well done,” doesn’t mean we’re pointed in the right direction. (John 7:60, 66-67)

We cannot begin with what we see to determine God’s plan for us. We cannot determine God’s will through the filter of circumstance or accolades.

We have to begin with Him. Discerning God’s will begins and ends with intimacy. Deciphering the next step means we spend time looking at our God, bowing before Him alone in our prayer closet, and pouring over the pages of Scripture.

 

Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:104-105

 

This God on high knows the beginning from the end and completely understands every detail in between. His plans are good but they aren’t conventional.

Sometimes, to get to the resurrection, there has to first be a crucifixion. Sometimes, to walk the road He’s planned, means unpopularity with the same world from which we crave approval.

Just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it isn’t right. And just because a multitude sings praises for our accomplishments, doesn’t mean we’ve got it figured out. We set our hearts on Him alone and trust that He will faithfully guide.

 
Fill me, Lord…

When have you followed Him down a path that would seem a little crazy to the world? How did He point you in that direction?
 

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Comments

  1. Susan Hill says

    I love this thought. And it’s so true. I find myself thinking that God is more like me because that’s what I see and understand. When, really…He’s so much bigger and better. I love these statements… “His plans are good but they aren’t conventional.
    Sometimes, to get to the resurrection, there has to first be a crucifixion.” Wow. Thanks for this. 😉

  3. Keya @ Nourished Motherhood says

    Well said. We have to remember that God’s plan can be found in every single moment of our lives. I was listening to K-Love radio station this morning. They were having their pledge drive and the DJs were asking listens to follow Gods leading with regard to them donation. But the DJ brought up a very good point. We cannot listen to God if we are so busy making our own plans for what we think life should be like. Listening requires us to …well.. shut up. It requires us to be still and quite. to pray (without word) to open our ears and heart to God’s guidance and then from that place we can take our next step knowing that it is in deed God’s will.