Shoba’s Corner- God’s Will for Me

You have finished the laundry; the cooking is done and you are enjoying your coffee time as you look at your little ones playing. ‘Is this where I am supposed to be right now?’, you wonder as you massage your tired hands. ‘Or should I be at work, using all my degrees to bring in money to the family? That may make it easy for us to buy a home and maybe have another car too.’ You ask yourself. ‘Does God want me to start a business or take up this job offer?’

What is God’s will for me?

I am sure we have all asked this question many times in our lives. ‘God, what is your will for me regarding my place of stay, my marriage, the school for my children…the right University, the apt course, workplace…?’ The list goes on. Recently, I was praying about God’s will for my husband and I in this stage of life.

As I went to God and the Bible for an answer, this is what I learnt.

1. Jesus teaches us to seek God’s will. He teaches us to put our requests to God and then leave the outcome to God.

Matthew 6:10b NIV (From the Lord’s prayer)

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Jesus went away a second time and prayed ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’

 Matthew 26:39b and 42, NIV (From Jesus’s prayer at Gethsemane)

 Why should we leave our lives to God’s will?

Romans 12:2 describes God’s will in 3 words:

Good.  Pleasing. Perfect.

That is why we have to leave our lives to God’s will.

In the margin of my Bible, next to this verse I have written, “God’s will- nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.” I must have heard it in a sermon or read it somewhere.

Ok, so you have sought God for an answer….but nothing seems to be happening….what do you do?

2. Here is the simple 3 step strategy which Paul calls us to live out as children of God!

Be joyful always.

Pray continually.

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

These are 3 of the shortest verses in the Bible. If you want to make it shorter still, I paraphrase it as

To be joyful, prayerful, thankful- always.

That is God’s will for me.

How do we live this out in everyday life?

Maybe,

You have just lost your job 

You have moved to a new city and you miss your home and family

You have just been told of your dad’s diagnosis

You are battling life, looking after your handicapped child

You are hurt and broken in many ways

You just signed your divorce papers and you don’t know how you got there

Wherever we are in life we are called to:

- Be Prayerful If you can’t find the right words, it's ok, he understands. Just sit in His presence in quiet. Light a candle if it helps.

1 John 3:20

-Be Thankful. Make a thank you list. Do it on your phone, on a pad or put it up on your fridge or dresser.

Ephesians 5:20

-Be joyful. Take the next step and leave the future to God. Apply for work, ask for help, meet up with friends and family. Join a church and enroll to study the Bible.

Philippians 4:4

Praying these verses, writing them down, reading them aloud and claiming them, will help and empower you as you step out into the unknown!

You may have to remind yourself of these 3 steps often. Do it!. It is worth it! God enables!

Prayer does not change the will of God.

Prayer submits to the will of God.

-Steve Lawson 

 Psalm 143:10 (The Living Bible) is a  beautiful prayer.

Help me to do your will, for you are a good God.

Lead me in good paths for your Spirit is good.