Leaning Into the Will of God
From the outside looking in, it may seem contrary to rest in the faithfulness of God while simultaneously saying God called you to one place, then called you to another; yet, in the midst of changed plans, Paul writes to the Corinthians of God’s faithfulness in 2 Corinthians 1:
15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace… 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 But I call God to witness against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Paul had planned on visiting Corinth as a part of his journey to Macedonia and Judea, but relying on the counsel of God, he delayed his visit. Initially Paul was sure of the plan to visit (v.15), yet when he called on God, Paul refrained from coming (v.23).
Time and time again throughout Scripture, we see God keep His promises and act faithfully with His people. God promises to never flood the earth again. God promises a son to Abraham. God promises land to the Israelites. In all things, God follows through on these promises. He keeps His word. We know we can rely on Him. Titus 1:2 tells us that God does not lie and from the beginning of time, He holds to His promise of eternal life. Hebrews 6:18 says that God is unchanging and literally says that it is impossible for God to lie. When we humbly go to God to seek His will, we can trust that He will guide us perfectly.
How did this work for Paul and how does this shape the way we seek God’s will? Here at King’s Hill Church, we often use the language of “leaning in.” For years, our church has prayed for a permanent, physical space in our neighborhood. We have seen many opportunities come up and many doors closed, but we continue to pray for God to provide a place where we can faithfully do the gospel work God has called us to. We say we are “leaning in” to the call to be a gospel presence in our neighborhood and to the city of Boston. Rather than making declaratory statements like, “This specific building is God’s will for us,” we say, “It is God’s will for us to be leaning in, seeking the possibility, and taking necessary steps for when and if God opens the door to this space for us.”
Plans in life often do not go the way we expect them to. Think about the various turns, mishaps, and trials that have led to the career you are in, the family you have, or the place you live. We know God is sovereign over all these changes, yet it is not how you may have expected your life to go. Taking the approach of “leaning in” provides space for your heart to truly be open to what God has in store and for you to be reminded that you are not in control – God is.
That is not to say that we should constantly hold back from making decisions or wait for some monumental sign to carry through with plans. As Christians, we are to follow what the Word of God has called us to in fervent prayer and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This should empower us to make godly decisions, not to shy away from them. Making godly decisions should be shaped by:
· Being in the Word – If you are asking something along the lines of, “Is this God’s will?” then go to Scripture to see what God has revealed about Himself to us. How does this decision align with the character of God? Or, where would this decision conflict with the commands of Scripture?
· A life of prayer – With Christ as our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), we have the blessing of going directly to Father in prayer. Go to God with the confession of sin, intentionally seeking guidance from God in recognition of His wisdom and sovereignty, humbly recognizing our fallen minds that are prideful and make us think we know what is best. Jesus Christ went to the Father in prayer; how much more, then, should we do the same?
· Seeking the guidance of your local church – We do not walk this Christian life alone. God has given us a family to be a part of and to sacrificially love. Seek the guidance of those above you – your pastors, elders, those who disciple you. In Christ, you have brothers and sisters who can speak truth into your life from Scripture they have read and experiences they have lived, and you have an entire family that can be praying for and with you.
Seeking God’s will for your life is not some mystical, ambiguous experience. When we rest in the promises of our faithful God, we can lean on Him, His Word, and His people to discern the gospel work He has called us to, trusting He will provide everything necessary to obey Him. I pray you will find time today and every day to spend in the Word, in prayer, and in community with fellow believers.