It’s highly likely that each of you, at some point, has asked God this question. Some of you will feel that the answer was clear, and others less so. What’s the question? Well, it’s this: “God, what is your will for my life?”. Let me begin by saying that the most important thing that God would have us do is accept the death of Jesus at the cross as payment for our sin. He wants so badly for us to come into relationship with Him, but we can only do that through the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). There are times though aren’t there, where we want guidance in other areas right? I’m sure I’m not alone in that.

My search for His will.

A few years ago, with a few months left of university, I was so unsure if setting out in music ministry, particularly a travelling one, was even what God wanted me to do. Sure, He’d led me to the point I was at. He’d permitted me to go university and study music against all the odds (that’s a story for another time). He’d taken me to Ireland twice to be part of an existing music ministry. He’d led me to write my dissertation and other papers on touring music ministries for my degree which would read almost like instruction manuals. There were so many signposts, but I still wasn’t 100% convinced. Was that wrong? Maybe I was showing a lack of faith. Perhaps I was missing the point altogether.

Looking back on it I would say I was scared. Going through with it and setting out on my own was a terrifying prospect. It’s comforting to know that God is God, “there is no other” and that He declares “the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done” (Isaiah 46:9-10). However, because of my own frailty and sin that didn’t remove all nerves and concerns. Anybody who can tell you they live their life 100% worry free and that they rely 100% of the time on God and God alone, certainly would have a whiff of suspicion about them. We’re supposed to live that way, yes, but because of our sin we fail at it.

The helpful and unhelpful phone call.

While on the search for answers, I was given a gentleman’s mobile number whom I was told would have some advice for me. I called him and explained what I was thinking about starting and said that I really feel this is God’s will for me and my life. His response if I’m honest, was pretty crushing. He spoke for what felt like a lifetime. On and on he went about how we cannot know the will of God for our life. His stance was that matters such as this, which could be best described as career choices, were not specifically ‘included’ in either God’s secret will, or in His revealed will.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with those two phrases, that’s basically the way that theologians view God’s will. It’s one will but it has two parts. The secret will is just that: secret. The revealed will of God is what we have in His word.

At the time as I say I was crushed. I was at what felt like the most important crossroads of my life, and someone just came and metaphorically stamped all over it. Or so it seemed.

The impact today.

A few years have passed since that day. Much has changed for me. I’ve been cracking on with this ministry. I’ve gotten married and relocated. I’m a little older and hopefully a little wiser. We’re still going through a pandemic and that’s taught us all many lessons for sure. Do I think that guy was wrong in what he said to me? Truly today I do not. Do I think he could have handled the conversation with more gentleness? Perhaps.

You see second only to accepting Christ as our saviour, the most important decision we need to make, is to reject the ways of this world and live in a God honouring way. Romans 12:2 says we need to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind”. How does this happen? It happens through earnest study of the bible and devotion to prayer.

Have you spotted it? It sounds an awful lot like pursuing the revealed will of God doesn’t it? You see only when we pursue the revealed will of God sincerely, can we ever hope to have an internal peace regarding the secret will of God.

I know it’s February, but we’re still relatively near the start of 2021. This year maybe we all need to worry less. That’s oh so easy to say isn’t it and trust me when I tell you I say it for myself as much as for anyone else. But let’s commit to delve into the word of God deeper and offer ourselves to prayer more. Let’s surrender our whole lives to God, not just the parts we want Him to have and let’s rest in the promise that the specifics are taken care of: “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).