How often do you ask God to help you with decisions in your life? How often do you consider God’s will for your life?
No matter how young or how old you might be, God has a will and plan for your life.
The problem with being human is that we think we are pretty smart and in control of our life.
Satan capitalizes on this and throws his fiery darts at this human trait adding fuel to our self-reliance.
What are we saying when we feel totally in control and do not pray and seek God’s will?
In essence, we are saying we don’t need Him.
Let’s take a look at the day before the crucifixion of Jesus and what He did.
Matthew 26:39 English Standard Version
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Jesus, the Son of God fell on his face and prayed to His Father asking if there could be another way other than the cross. Jesus asked God the Father if there was any other possible way to provide for the atonement of humankind’s sins.
Jesus closed this prayer with the words “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Think about this and seriously contemplate what Jesus did.
The day before His horrible death on the cross, the Son of God asked His Heavenly Father if there could be another way, but he said “not as I will, but as you will.”
The human side of Jesus was asking for a way out, but knew that God’s will must be done and he was willing to abide by Gods’ will.
Now think for a moment; if Jesus, at the most difficult moment in His life needed to ask God about His will, how much more do we need to consider this?
Whether we are making a financial decision, a job decision, a school decision, thinking about getting married or any other decision we face, we need to involve God.
As a Christian, God cares for you as His child and longs to be involved in all aspects of your life.
Personal Story
I will give you an example of one time in my life when I didn’t ask or seek God’s will for me and I learned a painful lesson.
I had a good job, but one day I was offered a job with a competitor that paid more and was at a higher position.
I accepted the position without praying about it, and gave my employer two weeks-notice that I was leaving.
As is the case many times, I thought I was in control and there was no way this would be a bad decision.
If I tell you that the next two weeks were miserable, it would be an understatement.
They were worse than miserable. I couldn’t concentrate or sleep and had absolutely no peace of mind. The worst part was that I didn’t know why. A few times I asked myself, “did I make the right decision?”
I didn’t know why I was so miserable and still didn’t pray about it.
The two weeks seemed to last two months, but upon completion I reported to the new job, still thinking I was in control.
To make this long story shorter, this was not a good job change for me and I realized that I had made a mistake. It looked like the new employer might be bought out and with mergers (which I had been through a few) you never knew what was coming.
However, God had a plan. About two months into the job, my old employer called me and said they wanted me to come back. Not only come back, but with a substantial raise and higher position.
I was not in control and learned an important lesson about who is.
God Wants Us To Seek His Will
God is in control and has His will and plan for each of us.
Just as our earthly mothers and fathers want to be a part of our lives, so does our Heavenly Father.
So, whatever decisions you are facing or will soon face, don’t forget to ask for God’s help and input. He has a plan for you. He wants to help you.
We may think we are pretty smart, but God is in control.
James tells us plainly that we should invoke God’s will in all that we do.
James 4:13-15 English Standard Version
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
James tells us to say “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” In other words, we are not the boss and we do not know what tomorrow will bring.
Invite God into your decision-making process. He wants to help you. He loves you. He wants what is best for you and with God being in control, you will make decisions with the peace and contentment He gives.
When we follow God's will and plans for our life, we will never take the wrong path.
RVH