What Is God’s Will for You?
November 25, 2022
What Is God’s Will for You?
By Brooke Holt
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” (Colossians 1:9–12)
What is the purpose of my life? What is God calling me to do? How can I find clear answers to these big questions? The Westminster Shorter Catechism answers the questions succinctly: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” While there are no specifics, such as what job to take, who to marry, or what ministry God is calling each of us to do, there is the clear calling to glorify and enjoy God. The answers to life’s biggest questions are found in a relationship with the Lord.
When you consider your life at this point, are you glorifying and enjoying God? Whether you wholeheartedly answer yes or no, Paul’s prayer is for you to understand how you can glorify God, enjoy him, and find God’s will for your life. It begins with a prayer to receive the Holy Spirit and be filled with that Spirit. Then, the Spirit will lead you into the knowledge of his will and help you find answers to questions about jobs, spouses, and ministries. When you surrender to the Holy Spirit, the Lord will work to make his desires your desires. What work are you passionate about? Is there a person who makes your heart flutter, and can you imagine loving them through the good times and bad times? Will you serve God together and help each other grow in love for him? As for ministries, what sets your heart on fire? Are you passionate about the poor, widows, teaching, or praying? God reveals your call to ministry by the things you passionately care about and the things that bring you the greatest joy when you do them.
Paul prays for his readers to walk in a way worthy of the Lord. That means you would use your gifts to build his kingdom and bear fruit. As you operate in and through the Holy Spirit, people will see the Lord and be blessed by your words and deeds. Paul continues to pray for the Spirit to strengthen you each day. Life in this world is not easy. You need the Lord every day—his power, his perspective, and his patient endurance. Thus, Paul prays that you would know and experience God’s glorious might in your life.
The final part of your calling is to fully receive the Lord’s inheritance for you. One day, this life will be over, and you will see him face to face. You will enjoy the glory of the new heavens and new earth, where the light shines perpetually as God’s kingdom is fully established. What God has for you there is beyond description and comprehension. His final call on your life is to come into his kingdom in its fullness and enjoy every blessing.
Reflection:
Are you glorifying God? Are you enjoying God? That is God’s will for you. How are you encouraged through Paul’s beautiful prayer today? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resource:
Awaken the awe and the wonder of Advent! “The King Is Coming” is a 4-week Advent devotional especially written with a child’s heart in mind. It takes families through the salvation story by focusing on who God is, the gift of Jesus, and the importance of celebrating and sharing that miraculous gift! Bring your family together this Advent season for a journey exploring God’s big love for you.
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