“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
THE LORD IS SO CREATIVE, reducing our search for His will in our lives to a single feeling, impression, or Bible verse is tempting, but misguided. To keep us seeking after Him, He gives us a few glimpses of Himself and His will in a variety of ways, so here are a few “lenses” to help us seek, see, and confirm His will more clearly…
1 Personal Covenant in Christ. Getting saved or “married” to Christ is the first and most important step to seek and see God’s will for your life. ” For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)
2 Praying for Wisdom. There is something about stopping to humbly ask the Lord for wisdom that opens our spiritual eyes to see His will more clearly… He can’t resist the humble! “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 )
3 Precept in Scripture. The Word of God is the litmus test of truth and things we perceive to be the will of God as He reveals His heart and ways through it, and for us. “From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:104)
4 Perception in Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit and our communion with Him that opens our eyes and hearts to accurately discern and deeply receive God’s will as we pray through impressions and study His Word. “ Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” (I Corinthians 2:12-13)
5 Proper Counsel. Anyone can build an airtight case in the vacuum of their own thoughts, but testing our conclusions with the air of counsel from those we trust is crucial to verify our sense of the will of God. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” (Proverbs 12:15)
6 Providential Circumstances. God loves to allow and even orchestrate unusual circumstances to nudge us toward His ultimate purposes in our lives, so look beyond your immediate plight to His ultimate goals. “But Joseph said to them, Do not be afraid, for am I in Gods place? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. ” (Genesis 50:20)
7 Pro-active Waiting. Waiting God’s way is to do what He has told us to do as of today, even as we wait for the next wave of His insight and instructive will for our lives. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves... 218 But someone may well say, You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 1:22; 2:18)
8 Peaceful Assurance. Just as hurricane winds have minimal impact on fish swimming the depths of the sea, so can difficult circumstances have minimal impact on those who swim the depths of the Lord and His peace while seeking and confirming His will. “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Seeking, seeing, and doing God’s will is not a one-time template or formula to apply per circumstance or decision, rather, it is an on-going conversation and adventure as we abide in Christ! []
–Dr. Mark Gonzales * [email protected] * Ft. Myers, FL
