Have you ever heard of the saying, "Scientists delight in finding things out, God loves hiding them" or something similar to it? This almost gives the impression that God likes leaving us in the dark. This idea seems to pervade our thinking. We all believe it to some degree. Why? Why do we believe that God likes hiding things? Perhaps it's because we can't see what He sees. Maybe it's because we don't understand what He does. Whatever our reasons, our perception is inaccurate. God is not someone who puts things in the dark; He brings them into the light. After all, He's the Father of lights. (James 1:17)
So many times we ask God His will, and how we should act, but then we act (or at least feel) as if He wants us to figure it out on our own, as if we need to find out without His help. WRONG! Here's a good example of why: when our parents wanted us to do something we could choose to listen and do what they said, or not. God is our Father. When He wants us to do something He will tell us, and then it will be up to us to decide whether we listen or not. We hear from God and see only glimpses of His will, but these glimpses give us an idea of how to live our lives before Him. He never leaves us to walk blindly. Look at Psalm 32:8, where God says:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye." (NKJV)
That's fairly self-explanatory. The mystery of God's will is just that: a mystery because we don't always understand our part in it, but not a secret we don't get to know. This doesn't mean we can't disobey God, but it does mean that He doesn't expect us to live our lives and "figure His will out for ourselves".
So what's the takeaway here? We don't need to panic about understanding God's will. God does not delight in confusing His children. Seek His will, but don't fear that you're completely missing it just because you don't know what to do yet. He'll tell you. After all, He's your Father. Less depends on us than we realize, and more depends on God than we probably can realize. Look at the following:
How would you like to operate this puppy? You don't know what it does or how it works, and no user manual would simplify all of it. Good thing God's the one operating it, not you. Oh, wait. God doesn't have a switch directory. He has His will, and that's definitely not dependent on You. So loosen up a little. God loves you too much to purposely hide from you what you need to know and do. His will for you is not something you need to Google and then look through 12,000 pages to find. When the time comes, He'll show you His will for you. Just be sure you're listening by reading His Word, praying, and having a heart willing to serve Him at any cost. Those are the basics. Do your best for God and trust Him with the rest. Live for Him, and He'll do more with you than you could have imagined.
(NKJV means New King James Version)
The Switches graphic was accessed from http://www.graphicsfuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/toggle-switches-ui.jpg, a page neither owned nor operated by I-BulldogStudios. Alterations were made to this graphic by I-BulldogStudios.
So many times we ask God His will, and how we should act, but then we act (or at least feel) as if He wants us to figure it out on our own, as if we need to find out without His help. WRONG! Here's a good example of why: when our parents wanted us to do something we could choose to listen and do what they said, or not. God is our Father. When He wants us to do something He will tell us, and then it will be up to us to decide whether we listen or not. We hear from God and see only glimpses of His will, but these glimpses give us an idea of how to live our lives before Him. He never leaves us to walk blindly. Look at Psalm 32:8, where God says:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye." (NKJV)
That's fairly self-explanatory. The mystery of God's will is just that: a mystery because we don't always understand our part in it, but not a secret we don't get to know. This doesn't mean we can't disobey God, but it does mean that He doesn't expect us to live our lives and "figure His will out for ourselves".
So what's the takeaway here? We don't need to panic about understanding God's will. God does not delight in confusing His children. Seek His will, but don't fear that you're completely missing it just because you don't know what to do yet. He'll tell you. After all, He's your Father. Less depends on us than we realize, and more depends on God than we probably can realize. Look at the following:
How would you like to operate this puppy? You don't know what it does or how it works, and no user manual would simplify all of it. Good thing God's the one operating it, not you. Oh, wait. God doesn't have a switch directory. He has His will, and that's definitely not dependent on You. So loosen up a little. God loves you too much to purposely hide from you what you need to know and do. His will for you is not something you need to Google and then look through 12,000 pages to find. When the time comes, He'll show you His will for you. Just be sure you're listening by reading His Word, praying, and having a heart willing to serve Him at any cost. Those are the basics. Do your best for God and trust Him with the rest. Live for Him, and He'll do more with you than you could have imagined.
(NKJV means New King James Version)
The Switches graphic was accessed from http://www.graphicsfuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/toggle-switches-ui.jpg, a page neither owned nor operated by I-BulldogStudios. Alterations were made to this graphic by I-BulldogStudios.
No comments:
Post a Comment