opportunity

Our God is high and exalted. He is our Sovereign Majesty, His character is supreme, His power unlimited and His will, paramount. Praying, “Lord, Your will be done,” can be both daunting and exhilarating, yet God requires that we remain in His perfect will every step of the way. However, how do I know that I am indeed walking in God’s will? How do I know what God expects of me and how do I know what pleases Him? Questions like these highlight the need to seek and track the purposes of God in our lives.

“The will of God becomes obvious only by the application of the knowledge of God’s Word, through prayer.” 

Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, when He was confronted by the will of God in Gethsemane, said, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Seeking and tracking the will of God in our lives may indeed, lead us to places of trial. However, remaining on track with God’s perfect will, will always end up in victory. Scripture says that Jesus set His will on the will of God, endured the Cross, scorned its shame and wound up seated at the right hand of God in glory (Hebrews 12:2).

Sometimes God’s will is obvious to us, but for the most part, the will of God seems difficult to track. Author, Elisabeth Elliot said, “The will of God is never exactly what you expect it to be. It may seem to be much worse, but in the end, it’s going to be a lot better and a lot bigger.”

Evangelist Daniel Kolenda said, “God’s will is never revealed in such a way that it negates our need for dependence upon Him.” Hindsight is wonderful. It’s very easy to look back on a trying situation and see the hand of God and identify His will through it. Yet, on this side of tomorrow, it’s very difficult to clearly know if we are tracking the will and purposes of God?

Here are four ways to help you be sure to remain on track with God’s perfect will for your life:

1. Live Wisely

Tracking the will of God requires that we make the most of every opportunity that presents itself to us. The Holy Spirit once showed me life is like being stranded in the ocean. We tread water like crazy, hoping for flotsam to come our way so that we can stay afloat in the seas of life. However, not every piece of driftwood could prove viable in keeping one’s head above the waves. Sometimes we may need to allow one opportunity to pass by before we’re confronted by the perfect raft to take us on to new shores. Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Tracking the will of God requires wisdom. Wisdom is applied knowledge and knowledge comes by the Word of God.

 2. Gain A Word from God

God’s Word is our treasure map to God’s will. Listen: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” (Psalm 119:105). Tracking God’s will requires that we stay tuned in to the voice of Him whose will we track. God’s Word is God’s will. For instance, if you are presented by an opportunity to take on a new job that tends to a little less than noble cause, seeking God’s Word will reveal God’s will on the matter. The Bible says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” Will it be a righteous venture to take on a dubious role? God’s Word, therefore, has answered your question as to whether that new opportunity was God’s will or not.

Scripture also says, “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” God’s Word (the Bible) is our means to transform carnal decision making into wise resourcefulness. Making life’s choices based on the teachings of Scripture is wise. And wisdom also ensues from prayer.

3. Acknowledge God in All Your Ways

And Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” (Matthew 6:9-12). It is essential to talk to the Lod about every opportunity you face in life. It is essential to talk to the Lord about every plan, choice or decision you make. Proverbs 16: 1 says, “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord,” and verse 3 says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Seeking God’s will in payer will open His perfect plans for your life, because… “the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”

If you surely acknowledge God in all your ways and seek His will with all your heart in prayer, you will surely remain in the will of God. And this takes faith!

4. Walk by Faith

 Listen: “…for we walk by faith, not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7). In Hebrews 11 we read that faith pleases God and that He rewards those who diligently seek him. By the Holy Spirit, James says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change,” (James 1:17). And in 2 Corinthians 1:20 we read, “For all the promises of God find their yes in him [that is, Christ].” The Lord your God is your source and your resource. He will meet all your needs according to the riches of Christ.” (Philippians 4:19).

A friend of mine once said, “When God orders the pizza, He’ll pay for it!” You can be sure that if you are surely walking in the will of God He will provide your every need and guide your every step. He who promised, is faithful so have faith in Him.

The will of God becomes obvious only by the application of the knowledge of God’s Word, through prayer. So, acknowledge God in all your ways and seek Him with all your heart, and you will be sure to walk squarely in the will of God.

This article was written by Dudley Anderson of Sure Reality Media and pastor of Cornerstone Family Church. Dudley has a background in radio and is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope. He also writes a weekly GodTracker devotional.