We are living in a Millennial's world. Part of the makeup of a Millennial is a passion for change, a need to right all wrongs, a calling for social justice. We are characterized as always questioning the status quo and reaching for better.
A way that I was experienced this desire lived out is a searching for purpose and calling. A need to not only find our place, but truly make a change in the world. We are somehow wired with a need to make a name for ourselves in some way. To do something with meaning.
And as a follower of Jesus, we have found ourselves searching tirelessly for God’s will for our lives.
“God, what is your will for me? Where are you calling me?” Many times what we mean is “What cool adventure are you going to send me on in your name. I’ll go to the ends of the earth. I’ll live with nothing but the shirt on my back. I’ll be the CEO of the next huge Non-profit Global Aid organization. I will do whatever you ask. Just let me do something.”
The cry of our hearts. What is your will?
Glancing through scripture one day, this passage stopped me in my tracks:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
There it was. Written so plainly.
“For this is God’s will for you.”
That answer that we have been praying for, longing for, fretting over. That answer that will define our life. Here it was. Right in front of me the whole time.
And admittedly, I felt a little underwhelmed. “But what about me, God? What about my grand adventure?”
Doesn’t it seem too easy. That can’t be all of it right. Rejoice, Pray, and Give thanks… “For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
The Word of God is a whole Book written for us on God’s will.
Yes, God may have a specific will for your life. The Bible clearly says He has numbered our days, He walks with us and calls us to specific things, He has planned Good works for us.
But so often we aren’t hearing the specific will, because we are missing out on some of the basics.
We fret and worry about what He is calling us to do. We lack confidence that we are hearing correctly. We misunderstand. Or we refuse to settle for a life too “basic” because we do not see the importance of what He may be calling you to do. We desire adventure and sacrifice to validate our worth for Christ.
And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
But what God will’s for our life is obedience. It is intimacy with Christ. It is a life surrendered to His Word.
Our greatest adventure in life may come in ways we do not expect. What we avoid as mundane may be the richest most life giving choice we can make.
Working in an office and befriending someone you Never thought you would have anything in common with is pretty interesting. God can use those relationships to share the Gospel with people you would never willingly choose to spend time with.
Taking meals to people in your church family who are going through a hard time may seem simple, but seeing active faith in the midst of trial can deeply impact your life just as much as anything God is doing anywhere else in the world.
Raising children seems like something you do after you have lived your exciting life, but I can bet that raising little human beings to be not only functioning adults, but to walk with Jesus, can’t be just a walk in the park.
While speaking with a missionary supported by our local church, he mentioned that serving is so much more than we think. Hosting missionaries, giving them a ride to the airport and a bed to sleep in, providing food and help, those things are all listed in the Bible. Those seemingly small acts are worthy of being listed in the scriptures. God must have really valued those things to intentionally include them in the holy writings. Specific people were listed by name as having served in these ways.
God’s will is so much more than figuring out our 5 year plan. God’s will is to pray, give thanks, and walk with Him. Then He will lead us to His specific will for our lives. And that may be to pray for missionaries. Make meals. Raise kids. Serve at our local church. Care for our friends and family.
And God will meet us in those things richly. I firmly believe that following Jesus will never be mundane. So let’s stop worrying about picking an exciting lifestyle. And just wait for the excitement that is sure to come. Because choosing joy makes even the mundane beautiful and exciting.