Photo by Felix Russell-Saw on Unsplash
It’s a question every ardent
follower of Jesus must surely ask, and therefore it’s a question worth
exploring. Just what kinds of situations are indicators that we’re doing God’s
will?
I’d venture some of the following:
When we’re finding it an uphill struggle to love
people, yet we’re persisting, we’re doing God’s will. When forgiveness is
near-on impossible, but we keep repenting before the Lord, we’re doing God’s
will. When we’re slandered, yet don’t give in to slandering back, even in our
heart, we’re doing God’s will.
When we’re finding it difficult to rationalise the
kinds of sacrifices we’re needing to make, yet we continue to sacrifice
faithfully, we’re in the lap of God’s will. As we recognise that the best
sacrifices are those that actually cost us, our sacrifice must be closest to
pleasing God.
When we’re grappling with the folly in people’s
decisions, yet we overcome impatience with a reminder of God’s grace toward us,
we’re operating in the motivation of doing God’s will. As we’re quickly
reminded of our own slow progress, and as we thank God for such a reminder,
we’re doing God’s will.
When we’re working hard yet are often tempted to feel
that we’re wasting our time we’re doing God’s will. Yes, as we throw ourselves
into a work that has little immediate reward, the littler the better,
faithfully doing it without resenting it, we’re doing God’s will. Perhaps we
can take Jesus at His word (Matthew 6:4).
When things are easy for us, and blessings seem to be
pouring in, and we take the opportunity to be positively grateful, we’re doing
God’s will. But not just that; when we take the opportunity to see those at the
opposite end of the blessedness spectrum — those who feel cursed — and yet have
empathy, which is the heart to stand in their gap, we’re doing God’s will.
When we sin yet bring ourselves to immediate account
by the repentance of apology, having been prompted by the conviction of the
Holy Spirit, we’re doing God’s will. Blessed are we all the more to be so
self-aware as to be doing this daily and more often.
When we’re tempted by a thing to conceal or withhold
a truth, yet we ensure the truth can roam free, no matter the cost, we’re doing
God’s will. As we venture through life this is the key test we face every day.
And given the opportunity to manipulate and coerce, that we don’t!
When we’re given the position of power, yet diffuse
that power in the discharge of our function, yet take hold of the seriousness
of responsibility of the role, we’re doing God’s will. As we deal with others,
being patently aware of the temptation to abuse power, yet we give the other
power, we use that power to enable and empower others.
When we’re emasculated in grief, powerless over the
forces that overwhelm our feelings, yet keep, in our stronger moments,
searching out the heart of God in the matter, we’re doing God’s will. It’s just
so important to know when it honours God to rest and not berate ourselves, just
as it pleases God to walk ahead at the surest sign of ease.
When we take regular moral inventory, yet aren’t
sacked by the weight of our wrongdoing, and are able to look up and thank God
for His mercy and grace, we’re doing God’s will.
When we don’t know what to do, yet
we resist forging ahead anyway, and take the time to seek wise counsel, we’re
doing God’s will.
When we see someone hungry or
thirsty or tired or lonely, and we give them what they need, without condition,
we can be sure we’re doing God’s will.
When we’re tempted into favouring
one kind of doctrine over another, yet we see how incompletely we actually see
(1 Corinthians 13:12), and still don’t judge others for falling into error, we’re
doing God’s will. None of us can be assured of not falling into heresy at one
time or other, yet we’re so quick to judge. The paradox of that, of course, is
Pharisaism.
When we’re shamed by our sin, and
we fall into the quickest judgment of character by onlookers and are condemned
out of hand, yet we look high to God, and see our sin is covered by the blood
of the Lamb, and are convicted to live fervently for Jesus from now on, we’re
doing God’s will.
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