The Call

The Call

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

I think that most believers want to know God’s will for their life. We believers are overcome with gratitude for all that God has done. And we want to respond to that, we want to be pleasing to God. But there is a small hiccup, God speaks via His Word, and His Spirit. And we tend to listen by our ears and sometimes by our hearts. So maybe the real task at hand is to find the medium by which we can pick up on the Holy Spirit. And I wholeheartedly believe the medium by which the Spirit communicates most regularly is the word of God. The scripture is where we find what is acceptable and perfect.

One obstacle I have in hearing God is the expectation I have of Him. I try to anticipate His words, sort of getting a jumpstart on His will, and it never seems to work that way. My thinking of Him is so linear (Aristotelian) it just isn’t wide enough to anticipate what He is going to say or do. I sometimes sort of look at God’s will for me as a series of check boxes;

be kind-CHECK!
don’t curse – Working on it!
no smoking – CHECK!
no drinking – CHECK!
Okay, that’s 3 out of 4 that means I am living God’s will. Well probably not…. And that isn’t the way to follow God anyhow.

Maybe God’s will is something that can’t be predicted, planned or controlled. We have to submit to God and renew our minds by the word of God on a daily basis, to hear His will as he governs it. Today, He may ask one thing, and tomorrow something different. And if my mind has not been transformed by Him, I will miss out on living His will, His way for His purpose.

Maybe knowing and living God’s will has never been about following rules and keeping a busy calendar of religious events. Maybe, knowing and living God’s will has always been about communion with Him so often, that you are always at His disposal when He calls.