Its a funny thing, the whole “Knowing God’s Will” thing. Christians everywhere say that they know this or that about God’s will. We all hear people pray for us to know and follow God’s will. Yet, it sometimes seems so hard to know exactly what it is or what it means at this point in our lives.
I have prayed often for God to reveal His will to me or to us as a couple. I know that God has given me different talents or gifts for His glory. He gives me opportunity to use those talents for Him. I can only think that He means those for me to do His will. So why is it so hard to know what I am supposed to be doing?
The other night at Bible Study a new Christian asked “I know we are supposed to talk to God, but how do I know what He is telling me back.” Several of us giggled nervously, and I don’t think for a bad reason. It was one of those “don’t we all wonder sometimes” kind of giggles.
So many times I wish God would just write the answer across a billboard, send me an e-mail, order a singing telegram, or just send a booming voice from Heaven saying “Go Here. Do This.” Wouldn’t that be just so much easier?
Instead, the Holy Spirit is my guide. I know that all too often my mind or mouth is not still enough to hear it. Sometimes, I just don’t really like hearing “no,” “not now,” or “what are you thinking?” Sometimes, I really am not listening or wanting to hear.
I am so thankful for those moments in my life that His direction has been crystal clear to me. He provided me two different jobs over the years when I wasn’t even looking for a job! They called me! He was providing a need before I knew that I needed anything.
I am so thankful for those times that I couldn’t figure out why any of this was happening, and yet God had this tremendous plan set in place that I couldn’t see until He revealed His plan to me. Everyone has heard me talk about our precious #4 and what a struggle he had a birth. Well, if God had not allowed all those terrible things to happen to us in WY and in ID, would we have even been somewhere that could have kept #4 alive? Would I have survived? Yet, we had to truly rely on Him carrying us though those roughest of circumstances to reap His bountiful rewards later!
I think of all the different things that I thought SHOULD be my ministry. I have longed for years to minister to women and specifically, write for women. I have talked to others about this desires, and one pastor told me, “Well, Tancy, this probably IS God’s will for you, but maybe not RIGHT now.” I went away somewhat discouraged and shoved it to the far recesses of my mind. I thought “well, I was willing….Hmpff”
The other night I was sitting with a lovely group of women from our church family. We were enjoying each other’s company and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I could hear Him say to me, “The time is Now – just look around you!” I glanced around my friends and was overwhelmed. God has given me that ministry. It might not have been in the EXACT form that I was thinking it should be in. It didn’t follow my rules. It is HIS WILL. This is what HE wants me to do right now.
I know that I feel so ill equipped to minister to these women! I know that I don’t have the life experience that I thought I should have to do the kind of ministry he has sent us! Sometimes I just feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants. I often think, “Are you SURE this is what you think we can do right now God?” God has given us a unique group of people to serve, and I often feel so inadequate.
Yet again, I need to be STILL. Be still, and KNOW that I am God. Be Still? me? I am pretty sure that God put that verse in the Bible just for ME!
Who am I to question what ministry He has sent me?
Who am I to question whether or not God is in infinite wisdom has equipped us properly?
Who am I to think I really have ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT AT ALL?
It is HIM! It is HIS work. He is in control. He is doing the work, not us.
What comfort. What sweet peace. I don’t need a singing telegram after all.
