Prayer is the breath to your spirit. “pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NKJV).
There is no greater goal in your faith journey than to get into and stay in the will of God. We have so many ideas that roll around our heads when we think on such things as grand as the perfect will of God. Often, we think it too lofty to attain and too difficult to maintain, and so don’t even try. How foolish we are in thinking God asks us to do anything apart from His help such that we can do it.
Better to live one day in the will of God than a thousand going your own way. “…that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12 NKJV).
A few years ago, I began to write my first book. God had called me to write for the kingdom some twenty years ago, but He had a journey that I was required to travel in before the time had come. Finally, the time had come. I spent several months writing this book and was doing final reviews before the manuscript was due to the editor. I wanted to make a good first impression with this book.
Stop trying to change God’s will and instead get into God’s will. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17 NKJV).
A month before the book was due to submit, I had a word from the Lord to write a different book for my first book. The book I had written was not to be my first book. Here I was a month out to submit a book I had spent months preparing, and the Lord wanted me to start over. God places us at a crossroads to see what we will do.
There is a difference between being busy and being in God’s will. “So don’t be foolish, but try to understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17 CJB).
This reminded me of many services I preached in the prisons. I would prepare a sermon and be all ready to deliver it from my outline and notes. And then, right before going up to preach, I would get the word to put down my message and let the Lord lead me on what to say. He never failed me.
You can do more surrendered to the will of God than by your own will power. “As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart” (Ephesians 6:6 NLT).
Being in the will of God is the most adventurous and exciting way to live. It means throwing caution to the wind and letting the Lord have His way in whatever He says to do. We don’t have to worry because He helps us to get into His will and then to stay there.
It will take an act of God to change you, which He will do as soon as you will just fall to your knees and let Him. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
What the Lord wants from the heart of a believer is surrender and willingness. God knows you’re not able to prevail on your own. Oh, goodness, you can’t even begin to do what He wants you to do in your own power. Give up already. Be willing to let the Lord help you get into His perfect will for your life.
It’s not enough to know the will of God, but you must live it. “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him” (1 John 2:5 NKJV).
I ended up writing the book and got it published. I don’t agonize when I write. I surrender. I don’t rush or worry about a thing but only give myself over to the Lover of my eternal soul. Child of God, when you’re in the will of God it’s like being carried along by a rushing river.
It’s not about accomplishing more, but being more, in the will of God. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).
What’s God’s will for you? Don’t narrow this to a specific calling or task, but all your life and how you live it. If you would get into the will of God, then the power of God will flow through you. Dare to be weak enough to surrender to Him with a willingness born out of your heart.
Do you want to know what God’s will is for your life? Be holy. Many keep asking, hoping for a different answer. “God’s will is for you to be holy…” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT).
Blessings to you,
Paul