How Do You Know When It's God's Will?

A friend recently asked me a very wise question. She is facing a decision about a change in employment and wanted to make sure she wasn't doing it for selfish reasons. She wanted to know how to tell if it's God's will for her.

What a good question.

Personally, I think a selfish person doesn't even worry about being selfish.

Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything ... but ... it's possible that I have in my past, made decisions without consulting God.

I know, you are thinking "say it isn't so!"

Yes, I've definitely maybe done my own thing many times once or twice. 

I'm still learning to wait on God, which is hard for a girl who loves to start things. 

So I shared with my friend a list of questions that I've used to help me identify my priorities, and ultimately God's will for my life.  I don't think God's will looks like a check list.  I think His will for me is to be more like Jesus first and foremost and then to use my gifts and talents to serve Him.  Of course there's more to it than that, but that's a general overview.  There's a lot of flexibility in that plan. 

So here's my list of questions for myself:

1. What can only I do? (Only I can develop my faith, take care of my health, be my husband’s wife and be my children's mother.)


2. What has God entrusted to me? (God has entrusted me with the care of a home, the care of children, my health, the management of my time and money to name a few.)

3. Am I a good steward of what I already have? (Do I manage money well? Do I care for my home? Do I love my husband and children the way I should? Do I work as effectively as I can?)

4. What passion has God put in my heart? (I have for worship, writing, and for women to draw closer to God and align their lives with His will.)

5. What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done yet? (For years I knew God was calling me to write, but I did nothing about it.)

I also think the Bible gives us some guidelines on how to know God's will.  Here's Roman 12:1-2:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Based on that scripture, if we are offering ourselves (our thoughts, finances, time, emotions) to God as a sacrifice, and guarding our minds, then we can know God's will for our lives.

So long as we are following God (with Him ahead of us) and not trying to lead (with Him behind us) we will see Him, and can know His will for our lives through prayer and humble suplication.  We make it much more complicated than it needs to be. 

That's a lesson I'm still trying to slow myself down to learn.

In His Love,
Glynnis

The Importance of Little Decisions

Today I have a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com regarding the importance of little decisions.

God has been speaking this truth into my life for many years. It's a principle I learned from reading Matthew 25 and Parable of the Talents. God was just as pleased with the servant who invested 2 talents as He was with the servant who invested 5 talents. Both servants showed themselves faithful with what they were given. And the one with the 2 talents didn't discount that which was entrusted to him because it was less. He valued it just the same.

I believe God is watching me constantly to see what I do with the "little" things He has entrusted to me. Am I faithful with what doesn't look like much to the others ... even me at times? Can He trust me with just a little bit more?

You see, being steadfast in little things is the truest indicator of whether you'll be steadfast in greater things. Making wise decisions in the little areas of life, prepares me for making wise decisions in the greater things of life.

I thought I'd share some of the little decisions I'm called to make every day that have great importance to me, and over time have proven to have even greater value when added together. These are not in order of priority, except for #1 and 2.

1. Reading my Bible daily. (Most of the time at night, just before bed.)
2. Not criticizing my husband.
3. Using coupons when possible. (A penny saved is more than a penny earned.)
4. Going to bed with my kitchen clean. (Helps me start the day with a right attitude)
5. Writing thank you notes. (I could still do better in this area)
6. Not saying "I would never do that .... say that ... wear that, etc. ..." (Helps keep pride and judgement from my lips)
7. Stopping what I'm doing and facing my children when they talk to me.
8. Using lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in my cooking.
9. Making shopping and errand lists.
10. Keeping my gas tank above 1/4 full.

I'd love to hear what little decisions you make that add up to make a big impact. I recently received a new book by author named Sarah Cunningham called Picking Dandelions. It's to be released next week by Zondervan. I've love to give it away to someone at random. Just make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

In His Love,

Glynnis

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It's Thursday night, and I'm happy to announce that Kerri was selected completely at random by my son Robbie, to win Picking Dandelions. Congratulations. I've sent you an email but if you don't get it, please contact me directly.

Tuesday - February 2 - I think Kerri's email address was typed in wrong, so I'm selecting another winner at random. Kerri - if you read this, send me an email and I'll send you another book. For now, I've selected Beth at jeffandbeth82@hotmail.com to win. Congratulations.