Originally posted in a previous blog on November 22, 2006.
Is this what usually comes to your mind when someone talks about YOU knowing GOD’S will???
If it is, do not feel bad or all alone because you are right there with a multitude of baby Christians and veteran Christians who feel the same way. As a matter of fact, I would advise that you distance yourself from any one who tells you that they have a full understanding of God’s will for their life.
In Romans 12:2 we read, “Then you will learn to know God’s will for you…”. The greatest lesson we should take from this is that we at least are ABLE to know God’s will for our lives. This in no way should be a guilt-producing verse, but rather, a hope-inspiring verse. So, what do we need to know or do. Notice that this verse begins with “Then”. “Then” is one of those words that says what comes after me is a result of what comes before me. Therefore, we should look at what comes before the word “Then”.
Romans 12:1 – 2 (NLT)
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
I’m going to boil this down to a sentence or two so that I can get to the point that I would really like to make.
What comes before are instructions to live our lives completely sold out for God. If we seek to know Him as much as we can, and we offer our lives to be used by Him no matter what the cost, then, we will begin to be able to know His will. That is as simple as it gets. This now brings me to the inspiration behind this blog.
I was listening to Pastor Paul Sheppard this morning, and he provided what he called the ABC’s of knowing God’s will. He used the letters A – G to lay out a cool acrostic for knowing God’s will. I’ll try to properly explain it briefly here. 
A – Ask. Ask God to show you his will. Ask in the manner of being totally sold out. Do not ask with exceptions. There should be no “God … I’ll do whatever you want except go to Africa. Just don’t ask me to go to Africa.” If you are not totally open to anything he has, you may as well not ask. Our God is not looking for half-hearted followers … only the sold-out kind.
B – Burden. What are your burdens? What do you care about? What is it that causes a tear to grow in your eye? Match this up with what God answers when you ask.
C – Confirm. Listen to what your pastor, strong Christian friends, old wise Christians, etc. are telling you. These people will see things in you that you may not see. Sometimes, you may need to ask them what they see in you. Sometimes, they will tell you whether you want to hear it or not. Listen.
D – Dreams. What dreams do you have in your life that relate to God’s work? What is it that you love doing? Combine this with everything above … and be ready.
E – Exposure. What kind of things is God bringing into your life? What kind of things is he having you do? What kind of people is he bringing around you? Watch this, and be ready for where God is going to take you.
F – Faith. As you grow in Christ, grow in your faith. God gives us the seed of faith, but we have to grow it. And we grow it by obeying Christ in the small things he gives us to do. Grow your faith. Then, you will be able to see the items above better, and you will find new strength daily.
G – Pastor Paul didn’t get to this one today. Maybe tomorrow. But if we work on A – F, that will be more than we normally do.
In closing, knowing God’s will for your life is not something that you attain and then do for the rest of your life. Knowing God’s will for your life is a daily process. I will find God’s will for me in this portion of my life, and I will do it as long as he wants me to. But I would be remiss to think that this is all or that I have reached the pinnacle of Christianity where I can now sit around and dish out wisdom on all those following me. No! I will learn what God’s will is for today. I will obey his will for my life. And I will continue this process for the rest of my life! Only then, will I truly be living out God’s ultimate will for my life. That ultimate will is that I (me, the little sinful human) could be a part of God’s overall, big, giant will for all of mankind.
So, begin today by asking God what he has for you!
Go with God,
Donald B
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