434. What It Means to Find God’s Will - Pastor Lee
This post is quoted from Pastor Lee Soogwan’s latest blog post from the Houston Seoul Baptist Church website.
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As we live our lives, there come times when we must make important decisions. In such moments, people often rely on human wisdom to make choices. They seek advice from those around them and make decisions based on worldly wisdom. However, because human wisdom is already tainted by sin, making the right decision is not always easy. In this regard, those who have true faith may be somewhat better off, but the risk of making decisions based solely on human wisdom still remains. Therefore, discovering and seeking God’s will is of utmost importance.
Discovering God’s will is by no means an easy task, but I will share a few things that can help. The first thing to remember is that God’s will is not a predetermined path like fortune-telling or destiny. Some people believe that God has set a specific path for them, and if they find and follow it, life will be easy, but choosing a different path will lead to hardship. If you think this way, seeking God’s will is closer to superstition based on fatalism than to faith. Similarly, if you seek God’s will out of curiosity about the future or anxiety about what lies ahead, it is not much different from consulting a fortune-teller.
Discovering God’s will means walking closely with Him in an intimate relationship. It involves living with the principle of seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness, communing closely with God daily, seeking His will through prayer, and being willing to set aside our own desires or immediate benefits to obey His will when it is revealed. If you make choices with this mindset, that path will be a blessed one.
Nevertheless, there are times when we face situations where we must choose between two options. In such cases, it is important to avoid making hasty decisions. This is because, initially, all sorts of thoughts tend to flood in at once, making it difficult to discern God’s will amidst them. God’s voice often comes not in the loud, rushing wind, nor in the earthquake that follows, nor in the fierce fire that comes after, but in a gentle, quiet whisper (1 Kings 19:12).
Therefore, when facing a decision, depending on its significance, resolve not to make a decision for three days, a week, or even a month. During that time, pray, “I will listen for God’s voice. Please help me make a decision according to Your will.” Setting a specific period for seeking God’s guidance is crucial.
In particular, if something feels intensely compelling or attractive, it is likely not God’s will. When something seems like a clear solution or feels like an opportunity you can’t miss, we often jump at it. However, this is frequently a trap set by Satan, preying on our impatience. Thus, the more urgent it feels, the more we should resolve not to decide hastily. When we seek God’s will with this mindset, our impatience and urgency fade, and God’s guidance often begins to become clear.
God is still speaking to us today, and He answers when we seek His will. To find God’s will, we must remember that He is such a God and walk with Him daily. Let us strive to build a deeper relationship with Him.
