Searching for the Will of God

The will of God –
a mystery
we often try to find;
We beg and plead
and search for it,
“oh, show us, Lord, Your mind.”

Afraid to choose
lest wrongful be
the way, though it seems right,
We wait and seek
a perfect fit,
framed clearly in our sight.

But in the midst
of wrestling
and tossing side to side
We miss the clues
revealed in Christ
to see God glorified.

His plan was formed
and set in place
before He made the light –
To send His Son,
tear heaven’s veil
so all things could unite.

Thus our mistake
is earthly gaze
when looking for a guide,
But truth is found
clear as can be
in Jesus crucified.

So fix your eyes
on things above
where every day is styled
To work God’s will –
redeem the world,
forever reconciled.

This was inspired by several recent conversations with friends, reading the book, Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung, and spending some time studying what the Bible says about the will of God. In particular, in Ephesians 1:3-14 it becomes clear that the will of God centers on Jesus Christ and the redemption of God’s people through His blood.

The unchanging will of God for all eternity is to see the world reconciled to Himself through Jesus Christ. Everything hinges on this. Our lives should consist of those things which enable us to carry out God’s will – speaking, doing, working, and making decisions based on how we can most effectively share Christ with the aim of reconciling others to God through Him. This is God’s will.

What a new perspective this gives me for making decisions and determining how to live each day! We who formerly were slaves to sin have become instruments of righteousness, and God wants to redeem others to Himself through Christ who dwells in us. It begs the question, “How can the parts of my life be employed toward the aim and end of the whole – i.e. reconciling the world to God through Jesus Christ?” This should be the question at the forefront of our minds as we seek to know and do the will of God in every area of our lives.