The past week I was rereading a book called The Trail by Ed Underwood. It was a tale-an interesting one-about discovering God’s will. After reading it again, I decided I needed to learn the lessons it taught. The best way for me to do that is to “flesh out” my thoughts. In this case, you will be the recipients. So over the next two to three weeks or so I’m going to attempt to do that…with your help. You will be my audience, so to speak, and hopefully we can learn from each other.
As a prelude to starting, the subtitle was intriguing to me. It used to be a major question many asked, “What is God’s will for my life?” A teen wants to know his/her future. A man/woman wants to know a job direction, or any direction for that matter. Dare I say it is part of following Jesus?
To discern God’s will we do all kinds of things. Put out fleeces (Like Gideon). Bargain. Beg and plead. Use tea leaves (I’m kidding…I think). Seriously though, some go to all lengths to discern God’s will.
I’ve not been exempt. I’m guilty of all the above, except tea leaves, or fortune tellers, or the like.
It has been a mystery for sure. I still seek to know His will in my life. I want to be pleasing to Him. I want to be obedient. I want to be available. So…how? I sought some direction and knowledge and that lead me to read this book 6-7 years ago (copyright 2014) and led me to reread it.
Anyway, I hope you will join me over the next 2-3 weeks or so as I probe this question. I will not be stopping my regular Bible reading and Encounter Time to take on this task, so there may be a “glitch” or two along the way if there is something I feel needs shared. But my main posting will be from the book.
Thanks for joining me and I’d like to ask you to invite others to walk with you/us on this journey. Meanwhile, I read this verse this morning and it goes right along with this post: : “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ “ (Isaiah 41:13 NASB2020) How appropriate.
Thanks for the invite to join you on this journey. I too want to seek God’s will for my life. I am usually not a fan of the Message version of the Bible, but was looking for a way to share with a young man (teenager) I am mentoring.
“An undisciplined, self-willed life is puny; an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.”
Proverbs 15:32 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/pro.15.32.MSG
This Proverb is so simple, yet so true… Life is so much more full when it is being led by God, and seems so empty and small when I am just doing my own thing.
Thanks again for the invitation to take this journey with you. I can only believe that God’s direction will be made a little more clear.
Thanks for joining Ryan. That verse is a great verse and like you I am not usually a fan of the Message but that does sort of put it in plain English. I look forward to learning from and along with you.
I’m so looking forward to embarking on this journey with you, Bill.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha and I welcome you coming along.
To understand God’s will for our lives is a tricky one, at times I feel like I have been lead exactly where I need to be, and I felt like I followed as I was lead to do. Other times I waste a lot of God’s time second guessing, asking questions that have already been answered or ones I need to just be silent and patient on. Walking with God is such an exciting journey, the lessons never stop, the questions are never easy, the learning is always worth the wait. I would love to join the journey with you Bill, I do not believe our journeys should ever stop being explored.
You summarized the struggle well Gail. Thanks for that. And I would love to have you join me on the journey. As it is said, “Onward and upward!”