Discerning God's Will

Discerning God's will often takes a lot of quiet time of prayer, meditation and waiting in stillness. (scripture also talks about fasting, which is a whole subject in itself). Usually in seeking God's will, it takes a good span of time. God may not necessarily speak in words, or ways that we expect. or in the ways we're used to. Sometimes God communicates by putting certain thoughts, or feelings on our heart. Sometimes God just lets us know things, without over spiritualized or supernatural signs. God also repeats himself, confirms and reaffirms his will. God doesn't just whisper something to us once. No he continues to press it on our heart, soul and minds. This almost explainable knowledge becomes clear and distinguishable that it is from God and not from ourselves.

We are to consult God's Word to know his general will and call to justification and sanctification. But on top of that general will for Christians. we do have God's unique and individual will, purpose, call/ vocation for us, whether it be something short or long term. Also to be clear our vocation interestingly we often only seek God's will when we want answers or want something for ourselves. At the end of the day, often more important that receiving or getting an answer, is realizing that God ultimately just wants our heart and our communion with Him. God draws us to himself and then engulfs us with his love, and then we're reminded of how incredible it is to have intimacy with the living God. There is not one second that goes away, where God is not loving us.


There were choices in my life, for whatever reason I didn't hear anything directly from God, even though I really wanted to. Did I not have enough faith? Did I seek him or ask in the wrong way? Even tho i was as attentive as I could be.. Why didn't God give me a clear answer? And the truth is, God doesn't need to answer us the way he want him to. Even though I was intentional and sought him in prayer, and was waiting to hear something.. Which school? What career path? Should I accept a certain job? relationships? what's the right path? In many instances, God did not email me any divine blueprints. God just gave me the big picture, and I walked and trusted in faith that I was doing something good hoping it was according to his will. In Retrospect it's so much easier to see that God was with us. From my understanding, if we choose to make a choice with the mindset and attitude of honoring God, and God does see it as a good thing, i believe God is pleased. Of course we'd love to see all his blueprints, but that's usually not for us to know. Rather God calls us to act and move in faith, and in that process God is with us. 

There are times where I knew something was not right, not in God's perfect will and  yet I decided to run those red lights anyway, and God allowed it, it ended up in a car crash and me getting hurt and hurting others. God uses those things to teach us. Instead of getting upset or angry that we didn't listen, He comes to heal our brokenness, depression and pain. At least to me, it is obvious when I am not living in accordance to his will. 

I think when we act out of a heart of devotion, with the intention of pleasing God, God usually shows up and blesses it. We don't need to pray if I should give money to the poor, help someone in need, act in kindness or start a bible study, or wait to feel called to help with the children's ministry. We don't need to always feel led to act in faith. However, we can pray for God to move through us as we make these decisions, with the right heart. 

There are other instances when God does give specific instructions. We can see these examples clearly when God does intervene to direct people towards his will. God does not need people to accomplish his will, rather he allows us and invites us to be part of it, for our joy and our benefit. I think there are certain glimpses or visions God can specific direct us to. We should be open to these things, and discern if they are from the Spirit of God or not.

I sensed God calling me to become a pastor. this was sometime in 2008. Overtime I realized he placed a passion for counseling psychology as well. this sort of confused me. which was it? I then realized that by pastoring it was more so of a shepherd, and caring for people. And it wasn't specific to the day to day choices, it was a general call to point me in the right direction, even if i didn't understand the road map to get there. 

I told God, I really don't think I can do everything, I'm not strong enough. at that moment, God did speak to me, he said, "I will make you strong in Me." My strength is not of myself, but in Him. I once asked God, "Why do you love me? Why love me so much?" God answered, "Because you are mine." God has spoken to me in other nonverbal ways, through his spirit, through dreams, through people, and I noticed it's not usually what we ought or not to do, but rather affirming His truths, drawing us to him, pouring his love into us and then with the command to live for his purposes. 

I've been continuing to ask God if something, specifically, if someone is really good and right for me, if moving in this direction is good and part of his will. I keep asking God, and he quickly and strongly responds, "Yes." Well i mean how do I know that's just not my mind playing tricks? I ask again, and again, probably around 12 times now at different times, and it keeps coming back, "Yes." And I keep going back, "Are you sure?" lol as if God wasn't sure the first time, but rather I should be asking "Am i sure I'm hearing you correctly? " And if God and all these arrows keep pointing towards yes it's moving in the right direction and affirming it's a good thing, then I don't see any reason to doubt that, and all the more reason to keep trusting God in faith.

If moving in this direction fills me with peace, is in accordance with his Word, makes me a more loving person, creates a deeper praise and longing for God, breathes in life and goodness, becomes a fountain of joy and leads to sanctification, I would suggest that it is the right direction to keep moving in.

God give me the patience, to wait on you. May I delight in you, and may you be the desire of my heart. 

There are times when your own will and God's will harmonize and are in agreement. And i can't really explain it well, except to say that you just seem to know. I like how someone put it, they said, "I just like to think, I don't know, until I do know." I like that. We don't need to have all the answers right now. We'll know when we know.

I once had a preschool director say, I've been praying for someone like you. And now you're here. it's you. you're the answer to my prayers, and I do want to hire you, and I think it's God's will you be here at this school. God spoke to me about you. But... then for some reason, other members decided to hire someone different. They probably had better credentials and experience. So what does that mean? it could mean several different things. sometimes people sincerely believe something is God's will, and it still not be. The compass is never off, it's us who can misread it. 

When we do hear from God, it is always in align with his Word. His sheep know his voice. When God calls us to act, it's always for the purpose of his glory. When things aren't right, things don't go right. When things are right, God approves that it's a good thing, and things seem to work out just the way they should. In a way, I think it's interesting how God also doesn't force us, God often gives us the freedom to choose, among several good choices, and even make wrong choices. sometimes it's not a no or go, but a slow. and in that waiting God is preparing us, growing us, maturing us, equipping us, filling us with his Spirit, so when He does say go, we're ready to move and respond in faith.

I watched this sermon from John Piper, and i'll try to regurgitate as much as I understood from it. it kind of blows my mind in a lot of ways. It kind of makes a lot of sense. God in most cases, really doesn't want us to know the events of tomorrow or the future. Sure there are exceptions and instances, and even examples in scripture. But generally, there isn't virtue in foreknowing the sovereign will of God of things to come. Rather, more importantly we should be praying for God's moral will of command, so we can know what we "ought" to do tomorrow and how we are to live. Most of our decisions are not premeditated, but are from an outward flow of our heart. 

I've heard dozens of sermons on Romans 12:1-2. But this one really stood out much more than any other. This passage talks about not conforming to the ways or patterns of the world, but to rather be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Renewal as a person. Renewed heart and mind. Then through the Holy Spirit we will be able to test and approve what God's will is. 

Piper makes the point that God's Word lays out God's will of command or the standard of righteousness and Christian virtue/ principles. Those are straight forward to follow and obey. But what about the choices and decisions that are not drawn out in script-chur? Well, John Piper teaches that we make our best decisions that we think will best fall in accordance with God's will, word and way. We make our choices with the hope of bringing about godly outcomes that are in alignment with his purposes. Rather than asking, should I do X or Y? Is X considered a sin? Will God be okay if I do X, Y or Z? The better question to be asking is, Does X bring God glory? 

Romans 12:1-2
There, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.


Drench my soul
As mercy and grace unfold
I hunger and thirst
I hunger and thirst

With arms stretched wide
I know you hear my cry
Speak to me now
Speak to me now

I surrender
I surrender
I want to know you more
I want to know you more

Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have your way
Lord have your way in me

Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have your way
Lord have your way in me