How can you know what God wants for you?

Have you heard Christians say things like this:

I want to do God’s will, but He’s not talking to me.

What does God say about my decision to ____?

God told me to take this job.

When God wants you to do something, He’ll let you know.

What do such statements mean? How can I be sure that God wants me to do a particular thing?  Here are some ideas.

• Know that God wants the best for all His people, each one of us.

Jer 29:11 I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.      God created you uniquely to do work that only you are able to do to build His Kingdom. There is no one who can do what you, with God’s help, can do.

• Seek God in everything around you. God is always and ever working to bring His Kingdom to life. He brings seasons and changes creatively, in His perfect time. He can do this when we seek Him and want to do what He wants and desires.  James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.      When you read scripture, seek God’s desire for your life, His will for you next step, choice or action.

• Realize that God speaks or communicates with us in a huge variety of ways.

The Bible has many instances of each of the following (and an unusual one):

Angels      Luke 2:8-10
Prophesies  Luke 4:17-21
Miracles  Ex 14:13-14, 21-22   
Visions     Luke 2:8-10
Dreams    Gen 37:6-7  
Audible voice 1 Sam 3:4-10
Sudden insight Mat 8:5-5, 13  
Talking Donkey. Num 22:21-30

But God has other ways as well: images in our mind that lead to understanding; 3 people telling us the same information over a short time, when they don’t know each other; someone’s testimony that opens our eyes; answered prayers, etc

Each of us is unique and God knows best how we will “hear” Him. For one, it is the words of scripture or a hymn; another, quiet reflection on spiritual giftings and the needs of people nearby. The Ignatian practice of Consolation/Desolation may guide us to awareness of moving closer to God’s heart (or further from it). Use of one’s creative gifts while pondering choices or decisions, may yield a poem, song, painting, pottery piece, carving or quilt that reflects God’s communication to you tangibly. God is always talking to us, present with us, inviting us to see more clearly.

• Ask God directly to tell you His will, with the intent to do whatever He shows you.

If God’s message is clear to you, take the first steps with confidence and trust in God’s wisdom and guidance. 

If the message you’ve received isn’t clear, or you are unsure, ask a mature Christian whom you trust, to consider your request of God and His response. Take their ideas or suggestions and pray about them, seeing if they fit with God’s will for you. Do their suggestions match with what came to you from God.

• Write down and  date the detail of your seeking and God’s response. Note what steps you will take in obedience. After some time has passed, i.e. a week or a month, review your entry and see how God is working in your understanding and actions.

• Among your prayers to God, you can use any of these:

“If this is not your will, close the door to it.”

“Show me the first step.”

“Thank you God for being with me. Open my mind to your plan for me.”

“Lord I believe. Help my unbelief.”

• The more frequently you ask God to show you what to do, and you do it, the easier it becomes to know and trust what He shows you. Ask Him for big choices and little ones. The more you listen and do what He says, the surer you become of Him and the goodness of His directions. The stronger your faith becomes day by day.

• As in 1 Kings 19:9-18, we can seek God’s voice. He is not the the big things, but in the small whisper, even a gentle persistent thought or urge that blesses others and even ourselves.  You will be surprised how easy it is, once you begin, trusting and believing whole-heartedly in Him who loves you more than you know.

QUESTIONS

1. How has God communicated with you in the past?

2. What daily decisions are you willing to give over to God (and practice obedience with)?

3. When you have “heard” God and done as He directed, with whom will you share this testimony?

PRAYER POINTS

- For all who are confused or in doubt, that they seek God and His Wisdom

-For all who are in a place of change, that they lean on God for comfort and guidance.

- For  courage for each of us to explore closer communication with God, knowing His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mat 11:30)