Monday, June 16, 2014

Just Do It



I can think of a million and one reasons why I shouldn't write this post. Maybe no one will read it. Maybe people actually will read it. Maybe it won't be interesting. My blog doesn't have a consistent brand, or audience, or look, or name. Maybe it will be too personal....the list goes on and on. In fact, I can really only think of one reason to write this post.

A good friend of mine "resuscitated" her blog today, after more than a four month hiatus. In her post, titled "31 Days of Responding to Him,"she talked about having similar reservations, to which her husband had replied, "If God is asking you to do something, you just do it!" Many of you who are believers may have had an experience where God spoke directly to you, typically stopping you in your tracks. This phrase did just that to me. If God is asking me to do something, why would I wonder if I should do it?


Lately, I've been wrestling a lot with exactly what God is asking me to do. I think there's an idea that's developed in our culture that "God's will" is an X on a treasure map and we are just treasure hunters searching blindly to find it. We assume that when we do, we will find something akin to nirvana - a life of perfect contentment, all pieces will fall into place. This idea is perpetuated by things like "searching for the perfect job" or "finding one's soul mate" or being "destined to live in a certain place." But I'm humbly reminded that God's will was for His one and only son to suffer and be executed. So why do we assume that His will in our lives will be a protected heaven on earth? He's already promised us an eternity of perfect living, in Heaven, with Him.

What if there are a million different earthly paths and places God could use you in? A mentor of mine told me recently, "God wants you to know His will for your life so much more than you want to know it. " I just can't believe our God is elusive or tricky. God is loving, all-knowing, fatherly, and generous. He has already  given us His will so clearly, if we would just open up His word and reveal it.

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)

Do not conform any longer 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 12:2)

In the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), Christ taught us to pray..."thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." While we may pray this prayer on autopilot, what if we really dissect those words - how clear they are! God's will is for His work, modeled for us by Jesus Christ, to be done on earth, as it is being done in Heaven...as it was modeled for us on earth by his Heavenly Son. God's will has been done by missionaries, fisherman, carpenters, shepherds, kings, harlots, and more. Who's to argue that there is only one profession where we can truly fulfill His will for our life? What if instead of always seeking "God's will" as though it were some magical answer we just have to uncover, we would spend our time and energy seeking God's wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

God, give me wisdom. Instead of me seeking your will, which you have already generously given, let me seek your wisdom with my whole heart. Let me walk each step rooted in your presence so that my light in this world would be yours, and that through every thought, word, and action, I would bring you glory. Amen.