‘God’s will’. It’s a contentious phrase.
For some, it raises theological debate around predestination and for others, more personal questions of guidance, like ‘Which job should I take? Who should I marry? or When should we start a family?’ More than that, it raises questions around God’s goodness. When big life decisions don’t turn out how we hoped - we miss the promotion, a relationship breaks down or having children proves more difficult than we thought – we find ourselves asking ‘How on earth could this be your will? Is this really what you desire for me God?’
If you had a go at reading 1 Thessalonians after last week’s email, you may have noticed the couple of times Paul mentions the phrase ‘God’s will’.
Firstly, in regards to sexual morality, it says ‘It is God’s will for you to be sanctified’(4:3). It is God’s desire and purpose for you to be made holy, set apart for his glory, to live differently from the world around you. That’s what he wants for you!
Secondly, it says ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’ (5:16-18). Rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving – that’s what he wants for you! Not just sometimes, but all the time, regardless of the circumstances.
God is less concerned about the big decisions we make that impact the circumstances of our lives, and more concerned about the manner in which we respond to them. It’s easy to rejoice and give thanks when circumstances are favourable. It’s easy to pray when we have felt needs.
But are rejoicing, prayer and thanksgiving characteristic of you when the chips are down, when life feels unfair or out of control? It's easy to feel a little guilty about your sporadic prayer life or the abandoned gratitude journal on your bedside table.
Is it all up to us to pray more, put on a happy face and keep a gratitude journal?
Yes and No.
God’s works in us to bring about these fruitful actions of a heart that truly trusts in him. A heart that trusts that he is on the throne and that the circumstances we find ourselves in are not some mistake, but a perfectly crafted chapter in the story of life God wrote for me.
They may feel like an unwelcome plot twist, but rest assured the author of life develops his characters masterfully. Even during the hard times of life God is working to bring about great good in the lives of those who trust him. That good might not be the outcome we desire but it might be the character formation which is much more important.
Grace & peace,
Adele
eNews - 1st March 2024