What is God’s Will for My Life?

I heard it again from someone struggling in their work.  Frustration walking the line with Bitterness, this person asked, “What is God’s will for my life?!”  The cry of millions wanting to do more but feeling lost and unfulfilled in the personal and work life.

I’ve processed that question many times.  I’ve poured over scripture looking for the verse that tells me what I’m supposed to do.  But guess what – the specifics aren’t there!  The question “What is God’s will for my life?” should be shortened to “What is God’s will?”  That’s an easier question to answer.

God’s will is that people come to know Him and be saved.  God’s will is that people would come to know that there is forgiveness, peace and love offered through Jesus and that that message is carried and delivered by us.  God’s will for your life is, if you’re a Christ-follower, that whatever you do with the hours you’ve been given, you ask and act on the question, “How can I best spread the message of Jesus today?”  That’s it.  From there, God doesn’t care what you do for a career.  It is no more holy being a pastor that it is a plumber.  It is no more holy being a worship leader than being a window washer.  God has people in every arena of life to be lights to the world.

Once we understand that, the adventure begins.  The journey of discovering how God made you (your gifts and talents), developing your passions and dreams and then deploying them through your work, family and community.

What is God’s will for your life?  It’s to love Him and to use your gifts for your fulfillment and others – all the while waking up everyday and asking “How can I best be a light to people around me?”

Peace,

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Gaining Wisdom

I know someone who is brilliant.  He holds a PhD, is a well respected professor at a University and has won numerous awards for his writings in his field.  To say his knowledge is vast is an understatement.  But when it comes to common, everyday sense, this person couldn’t figure out how to flip over a rock.  He is rich in knowledge but poor in wisdom.

Wisdom is knowledge with feet on it.  In other words, wisdom is the action behind the knowledge.  Someone once said, “I’d rather have a small dose of wisdom than a truckload of knowledge.”  Why?  Because the most successful people in the world know how to turn a bit of knowledge into wisdom and use it to add value to those around them.  Here are some simple ways to become a wiser and more successful person:

Slow down and observe life.

Start by taking 5 minutes at the beginning and end of the day to think about the day ahead and the day behind.  I have a journal that I use to mark down observations about people, situations and conversations that I notice throughout the day.

Ask “How can I use what I observe?”

There are lessons all around you.  Once you get into the habit of slowing down and observing life, your learning curve will increase monumentally!  Once you notice something of significance, think about similar situations in your life and see if you can duplicate the actions you observed.

Do one thing out of the ordinary based on what you’ve observed or read.

Believe it or not, this is the hardest step for most people – actually doing something.  The Bible says God-given wisdom is experienced by observing life and following His principles.  However, don’t try to change your life in a day.  Transitioning to change takes time but remember, if you are seeking to be successful, action turns knowledge into wisdom.

Peace