Sometimes I feel like life is a mixed bag of opportunities, choices, big decisions, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It's somewhat like a puzzle to solve - with each life experience a piece that fits into a larger picture of God's plan for our life and the place in humanity He desires for us to fill. Life is also like a maze we're walking through. We could go straight north, or a little northeast, or south or southwest, or a number of other directions. You can also imagine life to be like a race. A race to a goal, but often times there are many different ways to reach a specific goal. For example, someone who works as a nurse could work in many different hospitals. Someone wanting to go into the ministry could go many different routes, they could study theology, or religion, or chaplaincy, or religious education. And beyond that, there are other types of ministry that people are called to. We live in a world with many options - which is great. But how do we know which road to take? What is it that determines the choices that we make? How do we know what God really wants us to do?
The first question I ask myself is, "Do I really trust God?" And, "Is my heart completely surrendered to Him?" Maybe it sounds too simple to just pray for God's leading in your life. To walk through the doors that He opens, or wait on Him to see when He lets doors close in your face. But it really is that simple. I believe we don't give God enough credit for our lives. The failures we experience are often God's method of training us for something greater. The opportunities we are given wouldn't have been available to us if it were not for His blessings and providence.
When I know something is in line with God's will I can pray with boldness, believing that God will answer my prayer. A couple summers ago when I first started Bible working, I was really strongly impressed through the summer that I needed to keep doing Bible work rather than going back to school in the fall. So I began to pray that God would open the door for me to work longer as a Bible worker. I've actually prayed that prayer twice in the past two years since starting Bible work. Both times I was in the dark for a while and didn't know what I should plan to do in the very near future. Both times God answered my prayers and gave me another opportunity to work for Him - and He did so right when I was desperate and didn't have any other good options! I didn't put out my resume looking for a Bible work job, opportunities came to me. The one time I did send my resume and apply for a Bible worker position, it didn't work out. Ironic, right?
For me this is a character developing journey of seeing what God really wants for me, and if I will totally stay surrendered to Him rather than pushing for my own plan. Most of the plans I've made have fallen through. The plans that did work out are the ones I prayed over for weeks or months until I had confirmation from God that He was leading me in that direction.
But what about the times when you really just don't know? It's not like there's a right and wrong thing in every situation. Often times there are several good options. Then what? I tend to take two different approaches, the first and main approach is to pray that God will close or open doors according to His will. I like having lots of options to choose from, I don't like being tied down to a set plan. And yet, I've found it amazing how much God narrows down my options for me when I pray the specific prayer that He'll open and close doors! Sometimes I don't like God closing the doors He does! Sometimes it feels like I'm saying goodbye to my dreams, but God's ways are always better than what we could have chosen for ourselves. Praying for God to open and close doors and lead in my life makes it easier for me to accept "rejection" because I know God allowed it for a greater reason. Then instead of being upset when I'm not hired for the job I thought would be perfect for me; or when the guy I loved isn't interested in me; I can believe by faith that God is leading and answering my prayers - even when my heart doesn't feel that way.
The second approach I take is choosing the option that best aligns with God's leading in my past. In addition to this, I choose whatever option makes the most sense after counseling with others and after looking at the pros and cons of a certain decision. There is a time for logic and decision making.
It's so easy for me to waver back and forth between the options that both look good! And so I challenge you, if you're in the midst of making a big decision, first ask yourself the question, "Am I really surrendering this to God?" If we know that God is leading us, why doubt? If we know something is right and in accordance with God's will, consistently pray for it and wait to see how God will work out His plan for you!
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