Paul writes to the Ephesians: For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).
This applies to us today as well. God has a plan for our lives. When we choose to follow Jesus, then we are also choosing to accomplish the good things God has created us to do. This is true for everyone, not just pastors or missionaries! We can be part of God’s kingdom building project, helping to make the earth more like heaven (Thy will be done on earth as in heaven).
Discerning God’s will is an important daily task for followers of Jesus. Asking “What would Jesus do?” is a good guiding question as we navigate the daily decisions about what to wear, what to eat, what to post, how to respond to others, how to use our time, talents and treasures. If we learn to follow God’s leading in the little things, it will get easier to follow God’s leading in the big decisions of our life.
The Bible provides us with some pretty basic guidance:
Treat others as you would have them treat you;
Love God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbour as yourself;
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
If everyone would follow these guidelines, the world would be a different place.
However, there are times when discerning God’s will is more complicated. Sometimes we want something so badly we are convinced it is God’s will even though it isn’t. Sometimes we assume God must want us to do something when God isn’t asking us to do that at all.
I remember writing an email to a friend full of “helpful advice,” sure that God would want me to send it. When it didn’t go after the third try (all my other emails were going just fine), I decided maybe the advice was less helpful than I thought and maybe this was God’s way of preventing me from doing harm.
Living an examined life, looking for where God has been at work around you and where you can plug into what God is doing, especially when you share your thoughts with one or two trusted believers, can help you carry out the good works God has created you to do. Nothing is more satisfying than to join in God’s work of restoration. After all, that is why God created you!
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Nancy Frey serves as pastor at Listowel Mennonite Church.
