Seems to me that there is a a lot of confusion as to what the "will of God" is for an individual. There can even be an unhealthy obsession to find out. If that obsession is not satisfied, it can lead to a person driving themselves from the presence of God and ending up disappointed and shipwrecked in their faith.
Just chill out a little. Loosen up. It's a lot simpler if you take a less manic and stressed out approach.
Here is my definition of what it means for a believer to be in the "will of God".
The will of God for you is that you would advance the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do what a believer does. Proclaim the gospel, heal the sick, advance forcefully against the gates of hell. This is what Jesus said we should be doing (Mark 16:17-18).
When you do this Jesus will confirm it.
Mark 16:20 (AMP) - "And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord kept working with them and confirming the message by the attesting signs and miracles that closely accompanied [it]. Amen (so be it)."
Do you know what the most important part of that verse is? "And they went out...".
Understand that these are the signs "following" the believer. These are not signs that make one a believer. Or signs that qualify a believer. They are signs that naturally reflect the believer being in the will of God.
Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not a perfomance based endeavor. You are never who you are because you do.
You do because of who you are (O Lord, allow the Church to see this clearly).
Too many of us get hung up on micro-managing our own faith life. Some worry where God wants them to work, live, buy, vote, etc. He doesn't legislate these things to our lives. That would be like living under the Law and not the freedom of the gospel.
Let's simplify this and let off some stress about it.
The truly born-again, Spirit-filled believer will do the will of God. Whether you decide to work for McDonald's or Burger King, if you are doing so as a disciple of Jesus and operating in the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you, and you are manifesting the signs which reflect who you are, then you my friend are doing the will of God.
If you live in New York and are spreading the gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons, God is happy with that. He would also be happy if you did that in Minnesota.
The parameters of joyful and freedom filled living in Christ are much wider than the more religious of our family of God might be comfortable with. We are always going to find those in our midst who are uncomfortable with "cutting loose" in total abandon to the joy and happiness some of us might enjoy.
It is a stretch for some to just "enter in" unfettered and turned loose by the Holy Spirit. Some need a more structured agenda. I'm not sure that is the path to find the "will of God" to your complete satisfaction.
Don't forget that it's HIS will your looking for. This might mean you have to impose less of your own will to find it.
Mull that one over a bit and see how clear it becomes.
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
~SoZo~
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