But Am I in God’s Will?

Taking it to the Extreme

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ew months ago, I was engaged in a seriously heated ‘discussion’ on Facebook…and shame on me, it was on someone else’s profile. The ‘discussion’ was really about this notion that some people have, that God created one particular person for me to be married to…a soul-mate.

Much as I strongly disputed that way of thinking, I am sure that I was not able to convince the people on the ‘other side’ of the discussion. Most spiritual people would really love to be ‘in the will of God’. I guess that is correct and it should be encouraged. However, a great number of people are honestly taking this to another extreme.

• As much as some would pray and fast for days on end for God to ‘confirm’ if so and so should be their spouse, I am of the view that God has already wired me in a particular way. That is why I find myself drawn to ladies who are petit…and seldom the other type (oops). My point here is that God has already equipped us with so much that we can use to do our own ‘vetting’. (God did not force Adam to take Eve, he presented her to him. [ictt-tweet-inline]Adam actually could have rejected Eve if she was not “his type”[/ictt-tweet-inline], and that would not have been disobedience!)

• Some people would seek God to confirm ‘if I should take the job or not’…and I am thinking that I need to get an income and feed myself and family. (God said that man must work in order to eat). My point here is that if you are jobless and there is an opportunity to work and earn something…just take the offer! Of course make sure that you are not breaking any rules, whether of God or man in the process.

• Some people would seek God to confirm if they should take a particular journey, make a particular investment, take their kids to a certain school, befriend a certain couple, buy a particular make of a vehicle, join the gymn (am running out of examples here)…and so on.

Already Equipped.

I honestly tend to think that it is very easy to get stuck ‘waiting on God’ while God has already done and said everything there is about a situation.

I also tend to seriously think that for mega stuff like delivering a nation (if you are Moses, David, Samson etc), one needs a clear word from God. But when it comes to our daily living, creating legacies, making a difference, maximizing our times, talents and gifts, I honestly believe you do not need to hear a voice from heaven instructing you to do these kind of stuff before you get started. We are not zombies. God equips us with a brain, wisdom, instinct and His spirit to be “On the go”.

• I did not hear God’s voice saying, “My son, write this blog…give it this name…..” yet many people have been blessed by it.
• I did not hear God’s voice saying, “Lawrence, sit down and write a book about Parenting and the present education system”, yet I did.
• I did not hear God’s voice saying, “Lawrence, please step up and inspire my people on radio at five in the morning”, yet I did that some time back and people were blessed (at least they keep telling me)
• I did not hear God’s voice saying, “Lawrence, now it is time for you to write another book about Turning Setbacks into Comebacks”…but I did, and it has blessed me before I release it to the public.

We cannot vacillate over making important decisions and taking necessary needed action because we are waiting for God to confirm whether we are in his will or not. I tend to think that inside your heart, you have a conscience that will clearly indicate to you about the validity of the path you are taking.

That is not to say that God does not speak and God does not answer prayers. That is also not to say that we should not run our plans by God for approval. That is not to say that we are seeking independence from God, and that we can no longer seek His will. If we are in sync with Him daily, there will be a flow, a knowledge, and wisdom to discern whether we are in his will or not.

It is just to say that God gave you and me a brain, a heart, hands, feet, a will, a mind and emotions to work things out. So this article is not in anyway the beginning of advocating for ‘no use of God’.

If,

• It comes deep down your gut and you are thoroughly passionate about it,
• It does not hurt other people in that it is fair to all involved,
• It calls you to action,
• You have the necessary resources at your disposal to do it,
• You can clearly see the next step,
• You are absolutely sure about the timing,
• You feel in your spirit strongly about it…
• It does not contradict the written Word of God

Then,

Get going! Take action. Do it! Pray as you do it. Stop sitting there waiting for ‘confirmation’.

However, if:

• You are unsure about it,
• You feel a dissonance in your spirit about it,
• It is not clearly supported neither is it clearly disputed in scripture,
• You are unsure about the timing,
• You feel thoroughly inadequate to implement it,
• It feels so unreasonable,
• You are restless about it….

Then,

By all means, take some time and pray. Take some time and get Godly counsel. Take some time and search the scriptures. Take some time and fast.

Make no mistake about it, being in [ictt-tweet-inline]God’s will is of paramount importance…but we cannot use it as an excuse to waste time doing nothing![/ictt-tweet-inline]