People keep asking what you want to do with your life, and you don’t have a clue. Meanwhile, the Bible heroes had it made. God’s will for their lives seemed so clear.
- God told Noah to build the ark (Genesis 6:13–21).
- Moses learned he was supposed to free the Israelites from Egypt (Exodus 3).
- David was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 16:11–13).
- Mary was told by an angel that she would be the mother of the Messiah (Luke 1:26–38).
Wouldn’t it be nice if God just texted you: “Go to that school so you can pursue that career”?
But that’s not how God works. The good news is you can still learn to hear God’s still, small voice.
Do I Have a Calling?
Yes!
Long before you were born, your heavenly Father knew you and had a purpose for your life (Jeremiah 1:5). He built into you the personality and natural aptitudes so you could do good things (Ephesians 2:10). He gave you the building blocks for developing a Christlike character (1 John 2:6). Then He gave you a special assignment—to be His child and help others become His children as well (1 Peter 2:9).
Okay, that’s the big picture, but how does it apply to you? I like to think of it this way …
God’s Sandbox
The Bible, and specifically the Ten Commandments, map out the boundaries of a happy, successful life. Within those boundaries (love God, honor your parents, rest on the Sabbath, care for your relationships, etc.), there isn’t just one acceptable career. There are many faithful ways to serve God.
It’s like a giant sandbox. You can build roads, castles, lakes, whatever you want. Stay inside the box, follow the rules (be nice, don’t throw sand), and you’ll have a great time.
Just like your parents loved seeing your creativity in the sandbox, God loves seeing your creativity in life. There are plenty of things you could do with your life that would be within God’s will.
But what about the times when you face specific decisions and need to know how God is leading?
How to Know God’s Will
Here are the four main ways that God reveals His will:
- The Bible: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). God will never lead you into a life work that goes against the principles of the Bible. So take time to understand the Bible’s teachings. God will also speak to you personally through the Bible. Ask God to lead you to Scriptures that apply to your situation. As you study the Bible each day, the Holy Spirit may bring a verse to your attention that answers your questions and shows you how to move forward. (Caution: Don’t just flip your Bible open and hope for the right verse. A daily study plan works better. God will speak through it.)
- The Guidance of the Holy Spirit: Acts 8:26–40 tells the story of how the Lord spoke to Philip and sent him to a specific place to speak to a specific man who needed to know the Lord. God can—and will—speak to you personally like this through the Holy Spirit too. Ask God to guide your thoughts and speak to you about the choices you need to make. Take time to listen. Ask Him to give you peace about the right decision. And always check what you think you heard from God against the principles of the Bible. The Holy Spirit will NEVER contradict the Bible’s teachings.
- Providential Circumstances: “The steps of a good man [or woman] are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23). God often arranges circumstances to reveal His will for you. When you are praying for direction, make sure to watch for open and closed doors.
- Godly Counsel: “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22). Seek godly mentors who are walking with Jesus. Their insight can confirm what God has already been showing you through the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and His providence.
Will God Really Show Me His Plans?
Yes! But He may not reveal it all at once. He didn’t show me my whole life path when I was 18. But He gave me enough direction to be at peace with each decision as it came along. However, those are my stories, and your road will be different.
But if you choose to walk with God each day and ask Him to lead you step by step, He will guide you just like He has me. Then you’ll have your own stories to tell of God’s leading.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).
Would you like to learn how to listen to God’s voice better? Check out this post on “How Do I Know if God Is Talking to Me?”