Friday, March 23, 2012

Listen For God’s Will

So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. -- Colossians 1:9

Do you believe that you are living a scripted life authored by God? Or do you believe that free will gives you the pen to make your life what you choose? Or is the truth somewhere in between the two extremes? Does God have a plan for our lives but, knowing that we’ll fail and take wrong turns, know our lives will have a different outcome?

Most of us really want to know God’s will for our lives. We don’t always agree with what He wants, but we want to know. I laugh out loud at that. There are times when God has dragged me fussing and complaining to do what He wanted me to do. And He was always right. Always. It makes me wonder why I bother resisting when I know how it’ll turn out.

Have you ever had an experience like that? You know what God wants you to do but it isn’t something you want to do. Or maybe it isn’t something you feel qualified to do. But you do it anyway and then you understand what God wanted to accomplish through you. It’s awesome, isn’t it?

But things rarely seem so black and white. It’s usually a matter of agonizing over options and trying to decide what God wants me to do. I am my worst enemy in those situations. My mind races with options and pros and cons and I have trouble quieting it so I can hear God’s voice. Because for me the stillness brings answers.

A friend determines God’s will by how He opens and closes doors. Of course, she also is quick to point out that each major decision comes after much prayer and quiet time with God. Then she can see where God directs her path. When God supports something, doors open and the roadway seems smooth and easy. When God is against something, doors close and the roadway is bumpy and difficult.

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better. -- Colossians 1:10

We don’t often think of our doing God’s will as showing kindness to others. It makes sense. But usually we think in terms of ourselves and what we want. Oh, and what God wants too. But if we’re doing God’s will then we’re doing for others.

Following God, determining His will for our lives, means living as Jesus lived on this earth. Did He plan our lives ahead of time? Probably, just as any parent has dreams for His child. Did He know we would fail repeatedly? Without a doubt. But He also knows our hearts. God knows when we genuinely desire to do His will. And He knows when we don’t. Maybe that’s the key: listening to Him instead of ourselves

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Spend Time Learning From God

"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." -- Colossians 1:28-29

Paul, the writer of Colossians, worked hard to teach Christians and help them mature in their faith. How wonderful! Becoming a believer was only the beginning.

There's a comedy bit on the radio now. It involves a man who started at the bottom of the corporate rung and never moved up. He's still asking the same questions in the same job. He was content to simply show up, do the same job in the same way, then go home and repeat the next day. Is that how we live our lives as Christians?

So many people just show up to church on Sunday mornings. And, yes, that's a good thing. But it's only the beginning. Do they read their Bible every day? Do they attend Sunday school? What about Bible study? Are they actively learning or are they content to just coast along?

Being involved in church activities is a wonderful thing. It doesn't take the place of actually reading and studying the Bible. Sometimes people use activities as a wonderful excuse. Look at me, they say. Look at all I'm doing to serve God. It's an excuse to not spend time with God.

Which brings up another point. Spending time with God. Listening to Him. Learning from Him. He is so wise. And so loving and willing to share His knowledge and guidance. That's what reading and studying brings us -- a closer relationship with Our Father. Paul understood that. How about you?