Breaking Down the Wall: How to Discern God's Will and Live it Out

The Wall Between You and God's Will

Have you ever wondered what God's will is for your life? Maybe you've prayed for guidance but haven't received a clear answer. It can feel like there's a wall between you and God's will, and you're not sure how to tear it down.

The truth is, we often make things more complicated than they need to be. We think God's will is some mysterious puzzle that we need to solve, but in reality, God has already revealed much of his will to us in his word.

What is God's Will?

First and foremost, God's will is for us to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He desires a relationship with us and wants us to experience the abundant life that can only be found in him (John 10:10).

But beyond that, God's will is for us to become more like Christ. Paul writes, "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). This process of sanctification is a lifelong journey, but it begins with surrendering our lives to God and allowing him to transform us from the inside out.

Another aspect of God's will is that we love one another. Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Love is not just a feeling but an action, and it's something that we can actively choose to do, even when it's difficult.

Finally, God's will is that we use our gifts and talents to serve others and build up the body of Christ. Paul writes, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace" (1 Peter 4:10). We all have something to offer, whether it's a listening ear, a helping hand, or a specific skill or talent.

How to Know God's Will

So if God's will is already revealed to us in his word, why do we still struggle to discern it? One reason is that we often have our own ideas about what we want to do or what we think is best for us. We may pray for guidance, but we're really just looking for confirmation that our plans are the right ones.

Another reason is that we may be afraid of what God's will might require of us. We may be comfortable in our current situation and not want to step out of our comfort zone. Or we may be afraid of what others will think or how they will react if we follow God's leading.

But if we truly want to know God's will, we need to be willing to surrender our own desires and plans to him. We need to be willing to step out in faith, even if it's scary or uncomfortable. And we need to be willing to trust that God's plans for us are good, even if they don't always make sense to us.

One practical way to discern God's will is to spend time in prayer and in his word. The more we know God and his character, the more we will be able to recognize his voice and his leading. We can also seek the counsel of other believers who can offer wisdom and guidance.

But ultimately, discerning God's will is not just about finding the right path or making the right decision. It's about cultivating a deeper relationship with God and learning to trust him more fully. As we seek to know God and follow his leading, we can trust that he will guide us and provide for us every step of the way.

Breaking Down the Wall

So how do we tear down the wall between us and God's will? It starts with surrendering our own plans and desires to him. We need to be willing to say, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

It also means being willing to step out in faith, even when we're not sure where God is leading us. We can trust that he will guide us and provide for us, even if the path ahead is uncertain.

Finally, we need to be willing to love and serve others, even when it's difficult or inconvenient. As we seek to love and serve others, we will be living out God's will for our lives and making a difference in the world around us.

Conclusion

Discerning God's will can feel overwhelming at times, but it doesn't have to be. God has already revealed much of his will to us in his word, and he desires a relationship with us that goes beyond just knowing what he wants us to do.

As we seek to know God more deeply, trust him more fully, and love and serve others more selflessly, we will be living out his will for our lives. And we can trust that he will guide us and provide for us every step of the way.