…… we have not stopped praying … and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will. Colossians 1:9
Does it seem to you that the Christian life is a constant challenge to make it work? Anyway, what does ‘making it work’ look like to you? To me it is a joy-filled life (even in the midst of difficulties), a thankful and obedient (willing) heart with a good dose of endurance thrown in. Add to that meaningful activity empowered by the Holy Spirit. Wow, how do I get there? I’m glad you asked!
To have this kind of life, the apostle Paul gives us a key; it is to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. This comes in at least two different ways. There is first a general knowledge of his will - how God wants us to live as a Christian by walking in faith and obedience to him; in purity and peace; and to love others. There is also a knowledge of his will for me personally; to know God’s purposes for my life; the gifts he’s given me to do the work he’s prepared for me to do, either in the secular world or in ministry.
It is important that we understand God’s will for our personal conduct in living, but it is equally important to understand that we can find his purpose for our life work. In finding and pursuing that purpose we will find the place of fulfilment…. the place that will bring us joy and satisfaction because it is the place we fit. When we find that place we also find the passion, patience and endurance to complete it (verse 11).
Christian young people have a great advantage over their unsaved peers because they can have the confidence to know that they can ask God for direction regarding their career path and that God will indeed lead them in the way he has planned for them. There are so many scriptures that promise us God’s guidance if we will commit and trust our way to him; look at Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 3:5-6 for a start. It doesn’t have to be a trial and error thing, but it should be a step by step plan. I once heard a preacher say that his earlier career path had covered training in counseling and youth work as well as a few other things. He didn’t know that God was preparing him to lead a large church one day, and that the skills he’d learned along the way God was now putting to good use.
If we will seek to understand God’s will for our life, not only for our career path but also for things like who we marry, what we do with our money, and then walk in faith and obedience to what God shows us, we can be assured of a fruitful and satisfying life that will make an impact in our sphere of influence.
Prayer: Lord God who planned my life from before I was born, please help me to daily seek to understand your will and walk in it. Amen
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