What is the will of God for me?
In my years of dealing with this question whether for myself or for others, the tendency has always been to think of the answer as a point. Let me explain.
The "point" answer goes like this: The will of God for me is X -- whether X is a specific decision to make, a specific action to take, a specific event to occur (in just this or that specific way). A specific house to buy; a specific college to go to; a specific person to marry. So on.
Finding this specific needle in a haystack of choices can sometimes feel like...
... finding Waldo.
I don't doubt the will of God can be expressed in specific points.
But usually in my rear-view mirror, what I see is that "the will of God for me" is played out over time. In other words, "the will of God for me" is not a point; it is a process.
Often it is only in the rear-view mirror that specific points in that process become clearly discernible.
But even then, what is amazing is the overall story -- filled with the decisions that you made, yes, but somehow having the look of intelligent direction, an intelligence that is not yours.
At any one point in that process, "the will of God for me" may or may not be clearly discernible. Sometimes the only thing that's clear is that you've blown it. But over the long run, "the will of God for me" becomes clearer and clearer on the canvas painted by your accrued experiences.
Does this mean any process will do?
Heavens no. When we look to the Scriptures for answers to "the will of God for me," what we find are specific guidelines for the process: hail Him as Lord, confess our need for His forgiveness, love one another, walk in the light, bear one another's burdens, and all of the other "generalities" that -- fess up -- don't really satisfy if what you are after is a specific directive on whether or not to buy that house, to buy that truck, to do whatever ...
In Scriptures, there is only one point in the will of God. It is this:
Jesus Christ came into the world at the center of history.
Everything else is a process towards the light of that point, or away from it.
You see, here's the real point in the will of God: it was never about you.
Logos2Go
Psalms 37.23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way ...
Processing the will of God for me
Posted by
David Wang
Sep 9, 2009
3 comments:
I know what you mean, but ... there is a danger in saying "it was never about you." There is a sense in which is IS all about us: "For God so loved the world ...." Jesus Christ's coming into the world at the center of history was for the purpose of saving people, including individuals like you and me. His coming again will be "to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:28). God's creation of us in his image is a big deal, and I believe he is a big enough God to have BOTH points AND processes in mind as we live our lives for him in his Spirit.
I really like this. It puts things in perspective. I also get Daniel's point, but I would put it another way. Yes both in a way but our creation, our salvation, our recreation, is all for His glory. He is the center. He is the point we are all pointers.
I like the way Michael Lane put it in his post "The Hero of the Story".
"The answer makes more sense when, with the proper perspective, we understand the story simply is not about us. The story is not about a happy ending here, on Earth. It's not about fame, wealth or success in our career. Those things may or may not be made available to us depending on what God is accomplishing in our lives, but they are not the hero's reward and we are not the hero. No, this chapter is about our happy ending with God in Heaven, while the entire story is about His eternal glory."
Col 1:16
For by[1] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
We were created by him through him and FOR HIM. Our ultimate purpose is the glorification of God. EVERY part of creation's purpose is the glorification of God.
Luke 19:40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
God is whole and perfect without humanity. There is nothing we can offer which God needs for he needs nothing.
"What can I give unto you my lord, for you are of infinite worth."
Our very salvation is meant to put the glory of God on display. So while the byproduct, and also intention of Christ's work is because he loved us, it is also and preeminently to glorify God.
There is great joy in the grace that God has given us out of his character of love, but in the eternal picture of creation and creator, let us not be blinded by our American ego-centrism to believe that somehow God works for us with the ends being our own glorification. When we humble ourselves before the lord and recognize our places, he shall lift us up in his glory.
When stated clearly: That I believe God exists to glorify ME, it is obvious heresy. But in our functional everyday lives, and especially for us who are steeped in the American culture, honestly, how often do we find ourselves believing or acting out of the belief that God exists with the ultimate ends of ME.
-Josh
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