I don’t care where you came from, what type of childhood you endured, or what you’ve done with your life up to this point, God can use all of that, your tragedies, struggles, heartaches, and even sins to create a wonderful future for you, a future with a purpose, fulfillment and joy. A future full of tasks that only you were designed to accomplish.
But you have to answer Him when He calls. I often get asked, “How do I discover God’s will for my life?” It’s easy. God wants to tell you. He’s not trying to hide it. May I suggest that the problem might be on our end? Here are some reasons we may not yet know God’s will for our lives:
It’s not time yet for you to know—you’re not ready to do the task He has for you. (You need more time in God’s boot camp.)
Disobedience—willful sin in your life.
Rebellion—you’re not fully surrendered to God.
Not walking closely with the Lord—you can’t hear Him if you don’t know Him. You can’t hear Him if you don’t spend time with Him.
Faith—you have to believe God will show you when the time comes.
Complaining too much—what was the one thing besides sin that kept the children of Israel out of the promised land?
You aren’t answering His call—maybe God has already told you, but you don’t like what He said, and like Jonah, you’re running away!
Remember Paul? He was enjoying himself killing Christians when God called him with a blinding light and a strong voice. Paul fell on his face to the ground and went completely blind. Yet at that one moment, he had a choice. He could have complained and cursed God for making him blind. He didn’t know if he would ever receive his sight again, did he? He could have decided not to believe the voice came from God and reasoned another explanation for his sudden blindness. He could have been angry and become bitter and never answered the call. And look at all he would have missed out on! Paul was responsible for spreading the good news of the gospel to the Gentiles! What an important task. I thank God that Paul answered the call, don’t you?
Several years ago, I believe I heard God telling me to write a story about a Christian pirate. Lots of people around me thought I was nuts. I had never written a book before. I had no training, no skills and I didn’t know anyone in the publishing industry. But I wrote that book anyway. I answered the call. If I hadn’t, I don’t know what I’d be doing today.
So, do yourself a favor. Check your heart. Trust God, and answer Him when He calls you!
MaryLu Tyndall