Discerning God's Will for Your Life : An Offering to the Community

An Offering to the Community

Lately, I have come into contact with several Christian webmasters (and those in communications and information technology) that find themselves trying to discern God's direction in a specific issue, over a decision, or for His plan (mission) for their lives. I empathize with them because I have been there. I have spent many years walking around in that desert. This article is an offering to the C-W-M community, and to others, especially those trying to discern God's will over something. It is four pieces of wisdom/advice/manna gathered while in the deserts of tough decision making. There's also a bonus piece of manna if you make it to the end.

After reading this article, please consider discussing it in the Christian web masters forums. I hope the article will generate a healthy fellowship discussion on the subject. To encourage discussion, I'll put a bunch a links in the article to the discussion thread.

First, I wish I could say that I have come to some solid conclusions on discerning God's direction for our lives. But, if I were to be honest, more honest than many of the Christian books, articles, and radio show programs that have commented on this subject, I would say I have found no conclusive answers and no formula for success.

I can offer the following principles worth keeping in mind and heart while trying to discern God's will for your life. All of these I have tested with my life and have found them to be true.

There are five sources for discerning God's will which are trustworthy.

From an old Puritan book I learned God uses the following sources, in agreement, to give us guidance:

1. The Word

2. Inward impressions upon our spirit by the Holy Spirit

3. Providence (His work in circumstances)

4. Godly counsel

5. Wisdom --redeemed wisdom like the kind in Proverbs (rather than the wisdom of the world)

All the sources are trustworthy when they are all in agreement, and above all none may contradict the Word.

See more about these five sources in the discussion thread for this article.

Sometimes God cares more about the journey you take and how you take it, rather than the destination.

Rabbi Ernie (of the Jewish messianic fellowship I became a Christian in) shared this principle with me. He was teaching that sometimes God uses the journey of decision making in His will to change us into the likeness of His Son. In the Kingdom of God, the journey may be the purpose. As hard to fathom as this is, the final decision/direction we go may not even matter. The kingdom of heaven has a radically different perspective than the results-oriented-outcome-driven society that we are steeped in.

Maneuvering a ship in harbor is harder than steering a ship at sea.

From a dear Methodist pastor friend of mine whom I consider very wise and from watching tug boats move Navy ships around in the harbor:

It is very hard to move a ship in harbor but a ship at sea, while sailing along, is set in the right direction by the slight turn of the rudder. Sometimes we are called to launch out from the harbor in order to get into a position where we are easily turned on the right course.

What do you think about these points? Tell us here.

Sean Buscay
www.christian-web-masters.comSean Buscay is on a mission to help Christian individuals and organizations to CREATE, ADVANCE, and EXPOUND faith in JESUS through web technology. He is the owner of Christian-Web-Masters.com .