Finding God’s purpose - seeking His will.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

(Romans 12:1-2 - New International Version)

A Wrong Turn In Life?

Sometimes, in the hustle, bustle and ambitions of life, it is all too easy to get involved in the little things and in doing so miss the big picture. Living in the world as it is today fills our time with so many things we are told to feel we need to do and achieve. The world is focused on acquiring more and more and more possessions, money, status and power.

We risk taking a wrong turn if we are not mindful of God.

It’s no coincidence that, when a life changing event occurs, it becomes time to evaluate our priorities. It is in these moments, of crisis and/or confusion, that we question what our lives are all about. It’s at those times when we find that possessions, money, status and power have little true worth.

Yet it doesn't always take a crisis situation to start the questioning of priorities. The drip, drip, drip of a wrong turn life can build up, over time, into a flood of dissatisfaction. We need to ask ourselves: 'Is God prompting me to reflect that what I am doing is not on the right path?’ You might be excellent at what you are doing in your job, your life might seem fantastic to an outsider, but you can still have a sense that there is something more significant that you SHOULD be doing.

God measures success VERY differently to the worldly judgments.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

(1 John 2:17 - New International Version)

A Living Sacrifice

Life is an incredibly precious gift and so we should be determined not to waste it. Our lives are a God given gift, so we should be asking ourselves whether a lack of satisfaction and/or purpose is linked to whether or not we are doing God's will.

In the acknowledgement that God's plan is the best plan, should we really be so surprised if our lives lack direction and purpose if we aren't following His will?

 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Ephesians 5:17 - New International Version)

Would it be so surprising, when assembling a piece of flat-pack furniture, that it turned out to be less than perfect because we ignored the instructions? The same can happen in our lives. How can our live match God's perfect plan for us if we don't take notice of what He wants for us?

When we don't follow God’s will, our true purpose and talents can be like leftover parts. They have a specific purpose, but never get the chance to be used. This causes us to become dissatisfied and feel a lack of direction and purpose.

Seeking God’s Will

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

(Jeremiah 29:12-13 - New International Version)

God doesn't impose His will on us. We have to open the door of our hearts for Him to enter and then He will help us to know His purposes and our role in them. It is the opening of our hearts that is vital in seeking God’s purpose for our lives and, in doing so, we will stop taking the wrong turns that trouble us.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

(Psalm 119:105 - New International Version)

The place we need to go is back to the instructions. The Word is our light and our guide when we want to make sure that our lives are not going to take a wrong turn, away from God’s purposes. 

The Bible teaches us the principles of being Christ-like and, when we follow these God inspired principles, rather than letting the world dictate to us what is good, we are promised enlightenment and truth.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7 - New International Version)

You’re Not Alone

When feeling troubled we can ask for help! There are people that God has placed around us who can be listeners, advisors and supporters. We can ask for guidance and prayer from friends, leaders and pastors.

 “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.”

(Proverbs 24:6 -New King James Version)

God is in charge and has a plan for everything that happens in our lives. He will guide us and place others to walk beside us at the right time to help us. We just need to let Him guide us rather than relying on our own will. Submission to God is not always easy. Even Jesus had moments when He didn’t want to follow God’s will; He knew what pain and anguish lay ahead of Him, yet He did it anyway, as he knew the Father’s plan was the right way.

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

(Matthew 26:39 - New King James Version)

Don't give up. You may need to be patient. You may not find your direction today or tomorrow, there may be times of difficulty, but as long as your heart is open to Him, you will find God and He will find you.

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.”

Amen.

(Hebrews 13:20-21 - New International Version)