I’ve kept a journal for as long as I can remember. In my teenage years, my entries chronicled my bemoanings and teenage angst. In more resent years, memorable encounters with God. Between Jason and I, we have quite a collection of journals on our shelves. I was reading over things I’d written in the last year or so, and stumbled upon the following… I didn’t write a date, but I’m assuming it was somewhere around the end of March 2011, from the context of other entries.
Very clearly, in August (2010) as Jason and I began a flurry of new challenges: a ministry internship (which required us to attend monthly meetings, reading assignments almost daily, and monthly tests on said reading), masters level classes for me to earn an Academically and Intellectually Gifted education certification, and accelerated 2nd grade class of 17 students, and continuing Thursday night Unveiled services and Sunday night fellowship/Bible study at our house, I understood this season was exactly where where we were supposed to be. In my gut, I also knew that this fact would not make this season without struggle. Knowing I was in the will of God did not make it easy, but it was bearable knowing I was stepping directly into the will of God.
In a limited scope of hindsight, as I’m not completely finished with any of what was begun in August, though the next season has not yet begun, I can just begin to catch a glimpse of it on the horizon. The brief glimpses I catch are viewed with both anticipation and apprehension.
Talking with a dear friend, it seemed to us both that the will of God isn’t something God makes us jump into like a cosmic swimming pool, but something we consistently need to walk toward, small decision by small decision, so that one day we look around us and realize that the will of God surrounds us, that it is has risen up all around us.
I was reminded of Romans 12:2, which greatly confirmed this notion of the will of God for me:
Romans 12:2 (KJV) And be not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what it is that is good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
“Be not conformed to the world…” Decisions can not be made based on the world’s values such as greed, self-service, “I’m gonna get what’s mind”, etc.
“but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” By valuing what God values, by receiving his direction and his heart in situations, and asking for and receiving his council…
“that ye may prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” By the transformation of how we think about God and life, we can know and receive the perfect will of God in our lives.
I want to live in such a way that I can live with contentment, fulfillment, and joy in the present moment and not stir up angst and worry about what’s next because it is the Lord’s great pleasure to walk with us through the ups and downs of this life. I want to live with the active knowledge that I can trust Him to lead me in the right direction.
Ephesians 2:10~For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus onto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
