Does trying to discern God’s will sometimes seem like a guessing game to you?
Like God could simply tell you what He wants you to do in a particular situation, but instead He chooses to hide His will in your circumstances and waits to see if you’ll find it.
And then rewards or punishes accordingly.
However, though our circumstances can give us hints as to what God’s will might be, His will is almost never “hidden” in our circumstances at all.
Then why DO we feel like we’re always guessing?
You really want to know why?
You may not like the answer.
Well, perhaps I should speak first for myself, because…
If I’m honest, I usually prefer trying to guess God’s will to the alternative: seeking God’s will.
After all, seeking God’s will takes effort. And truth be told, I’m tired.
Seeking God’s will takes commitment. And frankly, I’m already over-committed.
Finally, seeking God’s will takes time. And, let’s be real, who has a bunch of extra time lying around?
Am I alone here?
The 3 Disciplines to Knowing God’s Will
See if you can relate to this analogy. Seeking God’s will reminds me of high school math.
How many times did I try to just guess the right answer?
Countless times.
And how many times did I succeed at guessing correctly?
Almost no times.
And just like math, though God’s will can be difficult to discern (and often more difficult to carry out) God has given us three key life disciplines to seeking His will that aren’t too different from the formulas we use in algebra or geometry. And when you think about it…
It makes sense that the Designer of the mathematical formulas behind creation would give us tried-and-true principles by which to discern His desires for our lives. Instead of just expecting us to guess.
But unlike math, these disciplines aren’t really that complex to understand. In fact, you probably already know them:
- Commit to knowing God’s word
- Commit to pursuing community with believers
- Commit to seeking God in prayer
Knowing God’s Will is Worth the Discipline
Were you hoping for something easier?
Me too.
But you have to admit. It’s not all that complicated. It merely requires the effort and commitment over time of truly seeking God’s will instead of just guessing.
But think of the prize: knowing and walking in the will of the One who knew you before you were born!
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
God wants you to seek His will instead of just guess. Can you grant the sovereign Lord of the universe that prerogative?
If so, then He asks you to seek His will, not in the middle of conflicting circumstances, but in His written word, in community with others who are seeking His will as well, and in a regular rhythm of intimate prayer times of speaking and listening for His voice.
You want to know His will, right?
Of course you do! It’s why you’re reading this post.
Then stop guessing, my friend! Stop guessing and start seeking God.
More than His will, start seeking God Himself.
- Commit to knowing God’s word
- Commit to pursuing community with believers
- Commit to seeking God in prayer
Like help in that effort? We made an entire discipleship series for just that purpose: Beyond Sex & Salvation. In eight lessons, the second book in the series explains not only why we need to commit to these three key life disciplines, but how to actually discern God’s will through these disciplines instead of guessing.
You can learn more in our LoveEd series, 3 Key Life Disciplines for Relational Success, on our FMUniversity YouTube channel.
Date Night Advice (DNA) series: How to Know God’s Will
Part 8: You Don’t Have to Guess God’s Will
This is the last post in this series. Click here to go back to the first post in the series.
DNA: It’s What’s For Dating
Dug this weekend’s DNA? Be a good friend and share with your friends on the social media platform of choice: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
The LoveEd discipleship series, Beyond Sex & Salvation, will empower you to prepare for relational success when it counts: BEFORE you fall in love!
It’s NOT for couples, but for any wise individual who thinks they might want to get married sometime before they die. And would like to learn how to better build healthy relationships in the meantime.
Check out all three study guides in our store. You can walk through them on your own, but it’s more fun with friends (that and it kinda makes sense to grow in relational success in actual relationships with others), so consider putting together an FMU LoveEd small group study.
Even better? And ask a rock star married couple you respect to lead it!
