Monday, May 3, 2010

God's Perfect Will for You by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2 NIV).

Have you ever asked for guidance from God in regards to purchasing a car, house, finding your soul mate, or getting a job? What did you do when you didn’t get the loan, someone else got the job you thought was perfect, or the soul mate you thought was the right one rejected you?

Let me give you a visual circumstance that is minor compared to these things but I think you will be able to relate to it on how our human nature can take over when things don’t go our way. Instead of doing what God would be pleased with, I believe we all have a tendency to let our emotions take over, sometimes with disastrous results. My husband and I went to a hotel for a getaway. Now you all know that a trip to the hotel isn’t complete unless you raid the candy machine and pop machine. I grabbed all the quarters I could find and headed for the machine that was filled with my favorite chocolate, M&M’s. I am an official chocolate freak and very proud of it.  I gleefully put the correct change in the slot. I gazed at the selection and froze. There was my precious M&M’s snuggled away in the dreaded spiral thing. Now all chocolate freaks know that M&M’s do not drop from a spiral thing easily. It gets stuck and will not come down. I just had to have it so I gingerly pressed E4 and held my breath. The spiral thing turned. “Oh, no,” I yelled. There was my wonderful M&M’s dangling there. This is when I took action. I thumped on the glass, shook the machine, and gave it a hip whammy. But it would not drop down at all. I pressed my hands and face onto the glass. “Please come down,” I pleaded. That was when I looked up and noticed the security camera. Oh brother, it was all on tape. I imagine the security people were dying laughing at my crazed behavior. So I slunk away with a forlorn glance back at my delicious M&M’s just dangling there.

Now what did you do when the Lord’s will wasn’t your will? Did you shake your fist at God and say, “Why didn’t it happen the way I wanted?” Or did you say, “I know that your will is more important than my will, and you know what is best for me. Help me to have patience to wait for your perfect will for my life.” The security camera that was on me is similar to what God sees all the time in our lives. He will put you in situations constantly to see if you trust Him or not. Don’t be like me and bang on the closed door like a maniac. It doesn’t work. You must trust Him and believe that something better is in store for you.

There are some steps you can take in order to find out God’s will.
First, read the Bible. Second, pray about it. Third, use common sense gained from the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Fourth, watch for circumstances that open up to you. Fifth, seek Godly counsel from Christian friends. All of these things will help you as you strive to do the Lord’s will in your life. Trust God and don’t lose hope.

Dear Lord,
Help me as I look for your will in my life. Help me not to get discouraged when what I think is right turns out not to happen. I know you know what’s best for me. Your perfect will for me is more important than my will. Thank you for your guidance.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

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