God's Will

Kelli has a great post about asking "why" questions. It reminded me about an experience I had a few years ago when I found myself fervently praying this religious prayer: "I ONLY WANT YOUR WILL GOD!" He surprised me by answering and saying something like this: "How long are you going to keep this up? When are you going to own up to the stuff in your heart? What do you want to do?"

That answer was so hard for me. It took courage for me to begin to own that stuff in my heart and to admit that I had a pretty good idea of what God, and more importantly I, wanted for my life. For years I had cowered behind silly prayers about "God's will" like that one I offered that day. Does this idea challenge you? Dealing with "heart stuff" is a challenging one. Consider this passage from Proverbs:
The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives. Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:1-3)
Does it surprise you to hear that your heart plans belong to you? Does it challenge you to think that those plans in your heart can be an expression of God's will? So often we can get so wrapped up in our religious "Christian" ideas of "God's will" that we forget the kingdom of God is not so much about what we do but how we do it. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:16-18)
God's will is so inclusive and is so greater than our religious ideas often lead us to believe. There is truly no delineation between the sacred and the secular. Each of us have a sacred call in, and of, our heart. Connecting with that heart call and desire takes a bit of courage. I pray that we each find the courage to make that connection.

6 comments:

  1. Goosebumps! I just prayed on this issue last night and asked for better understanding. Prayer answered - so cool!

    I have been struggling through some of the plans we have made, and always doubting if it's what God wants us to do. I have been trying to understand sovereignty - impossible order, by the way :-) - maybe it's not the right question?

    Thanks for giving me a better grip on this bull called Doubt (hehe)!

    I'll be reading Kelli's post soon.

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  2. Amen, Bob. Good call on Kelli's post, and great extension from it. Cowering is exactly the word that's been on my heart to describe some of my own prayers.

    Thanks for this.

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  3. When are you going to own up to the stuff in your heart?

    Exactly
    It's easy for me to say I'm asking God. I'd bet He hears me like a spoiled child. I need to own up to it in my heart.

    Thank you

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  4. Yes, just like a previous reply, I believe our desires are just like those of a child, selfish. In truth, on our own, we can't really even believe God has a better plan for us than we do; seriously, does my kid really believe I know better? The beauty of our living God is that he give us HIS spirit, which allows us to recognize and to have the ability to surpass our selfish desires, when they are bad for us. I believe he wants us to have our desires, if they are either good or at least not harmful. ONLY by His power can we even desire his will. I pray that God, by his power, will give this gift to you.

    Signed Lovethefights

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  5. KB, this was JUST what I needed to be reminded of today. Thank you so much.

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  6. Hello! from England, Just popped over from Karens blog.

    Thanks for this, I am encouraged by what you have written - very appropriate to me and my husband,

    God Bless,

    Helen.

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