Are you missing out on God's Will waiting for God's Will?
I know that sounds goofy, but indulge me for a minute. I often hear women talk about “understanding God's will for my life.” And I understand them, I was once very much like them — I wanted to know the same thing. What's God's will for my life?
I spent a good part of the last ten years waiting on God's Will for me. I was waiting on the BIG WILL thing — and I needed a sign for it. Lord, if this is your will send me a sign. Preferably one of those blinking yellow arrow ones. okay?
While I WAITED on this BIG WILL thing to happen… I waited and waited and waited some more. I didn't do much of anything, just waited. Lord, I'm ready for Your Will. When you plan on sending that my way?
Finally I got it — God's Will is much more than just a big one time thing. It's much bigger than that. When I walk with Him, in obedience to Him, I'm in His will. It's not always big and flashy, most of the time it's much more tame and mundane -it's the day by day stuff. I was in His will when we made the decision I would leave the workplace and be a stay-at-home Mom. I was in His will when I stepped out in faith to lead that Tuesday morning Bible study in 2001. I was in His will when I wrote Girlfriends, God, and Grace. I was in His will when I picked up the phone to encourage my friend who's going through a tough time. I am in His will as I write this blog. All of this is God's will for my life. I can look back now and see how each step along the way was a part of my growing in the faith. I learned to trust Him more and I learned more about Him as I studied His Word.
I can't imagine how much I missed while I waited. No longer, now I try to remember that every moment of every day I can be in God's will or not. I chose to walk in His will.
So if it seems as if you're waiting and waiting and waiting, take that time to enjoy God's will for you in that moment. Think about where He has you and what He's teaching you. Are you learning perseverance, patience, grace or mercy? Is God teaching you to trust Him in all things? Maybe He's teaching you to slow down and enjoy the life He's given you. Remember Jesus' words in John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Don't miss a minute of that ‘abundant ‘ part waiting on the Big Will of God. His will is with you every moment of every day. Seek His face.
I totally get you, Mary.
Don’t you think that sometimes we are “waiting” because He is sending things for us to do or be involved in that we didn’t really want to do? Maybe it is our choice to “wait” than do do the undesirable or a different thing than we envisioned?
Great post!
Oswald Chambers once said that we think of a goal as the finish…God thinks of the goal as the journey. While I’m waiting to find out what His “goal” or “will” is for my life…I’m not living it.
Thanks for your insight.
Sheryl
I love it! I keep waiting to make a difference (and then of course am reminded that it’s the small daily things…the raising of children for instance…I’m making the difference!!!). What a great reminder. Thanks Mary!