FAMILY MATTERS:
God accompanies down life's pathway
___I'm graduating in a few weeks, and I still don't know what God wants me to do. I keep praying and praying, but I'm not getting any answers. Why can't we clearly know the specific will of God?
| |
DEBBIE CHISOLM
Minister to Students
Royal Lane Baptist Church, Dallas
|
___In Scripture, we read about the men and women of faith, and it seems like God was very direct when communicating with them. God tells Noah: "It's going to rain. Build an ark, put these specific animals inside, and here's the blueprint!"
___Unfortunately, God doesn't do that with everyone.
___While you are trying to discover and know the will of God, you also have to reach some conclusions about what you believe concerning the will of God.
___I guess you wouldn't be surprised to hear that Christians, and most definitely Baptists, are diverse in their interpretations concerning the will of God.
___Some Christians believe God has a specific plan for every person. They believe this specific plan includes every life decision--college, vocation, marriage and on and on. Those who believe in the specificity of God's plan for their lives pray and search for signs from God that lead them down the correct path.
___Others believe God's plan for their life is broad and general. They believe God desires that they live a particular kind of life but doesn't have specific details mapped out for them. Those who believe in the broadness of God's will base their decisions on what is the loving and sensible thing to do. Rather than looking for the specific person they are to marry, they focus more on the kind of person God wants them to marry.
___I'm not sure how you define the will of God, but I do know that specific or general, God has good plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
___Whether you're looking for specific answers or general directions, I know the closer you walk with God the easier it is to become who God has created you to become (Romans 12:2).
___As you continue to make the decisions that will lead you into the future, always remember, although you may not have a complete map that specifically lays out the road before you, God promises to be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
___
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
|