A long time ago and in another galaxy… Maybe not galaxy, but certainly a different lifetime I had a message board along with two other Christian friends. We called it Christian Living and the above question was raised. How can I possibly know for sure I am in God's Will?
There is something inside my soul that tells me this. When I wanted to quit my job because I was so angry at my boss for whatever reason, I cleaned off my desk piled it all on his desk, grabbed my purse and literally stomped out the door.
Emotion was fueling my actions like I had never experienced before. I was right and he was wrong. I was right to quit and leave that awful place. It was in a bad part of town anyway. I hadn't gotten more than three blocks down the street before I had this gut-wrenching feeling that warned me in no uncertain terms that I must turn around, eat crow and get my job back.
It was the best thing I ever did. My boss took me back and forgave me that incredible outburst. I truly didn't deserve that, but I do believe God was at work in a great way on that day.
So when someone asked that question, I thought about that day long ago and came up with a few reasons how I knew what I did was not in God's will and how I knew what I did next was in God's will. Comparing what I said and what Charles Stanley sayid in his In Touch devotional, it is amazing how close we are.
Science discoveries such as how vast the universe is and DNA, prove God's well ordered plan for the physical world. The Bible outlines very carefully God's perfect plan for our salvation and reconciliation to Himself. We know then, that God has a plan for each of us. So how do we know we are within that plan?
Let me share what Charles Stanley says. There are a few questions we can ask ourselves:
1. Is it consistent with the Bible?
2. Is this a wise decision?
3. Can I honestly ask God to enable me to achieve this?
4. Do I have genuine peace about this?
5. Does this fit who I am as a follower of Jesus?
6. Does this fit God's overall plan for my life?
7. Will this decision honor God?
As soon as I turned my car around and headed back to the office, that gut-wrenching feeling of impending doom left me immediately. Even though I had to eat humble pie, the peace I felt was a living presence. This was not the first time this kind of Holy Spirit guidance happened to me, nor was it the last…far from it.
The peace passes understanding. The turmoil in my soul was an excellent warning that I wasn't within God's will for my life or that of my family. How I acted was certainly not how Jesus would have me act. God had provided that job to help put food on the table. How could I just walk out on a blessing that God had given me and my family through me? In the few minutes it took for me to drive three blocks, God had escorted me through a thought process that made me understand how He directs my life…if I will allow Him to. That is the major key.
When we are pliable and willing to have God direct our life path, then He lets us know beyond doubt. That still small voice will be clear and unmistakable, but we must listen.
Amen, sister! I struggle with this every day in a job that depresses me every morning to have to go to. But I keep the faith and know that He is working behind the scenes in my life.
I feel for you Kathleen. My friend told me once that her mom would always tell her when she had to do a job she hated, “Just do it for the Sweet Jesus, honey, do it for Sweet Jesus.” That has changed my attitude many a time when having to do something I wasn’t thrilled about doing.
Really taking the time to get silent before God and “listen” can be difficult but is so necessary when we are trying to understand God’s will. As I’ve worked with an initiative called Sound Off, I’ve become increasingly aware of the benefits of taking a media fast in order to better hear God’s voice. http://www.soundoffforpoverty.org/