God-Centered Prayer: Week 4 – God’s Purpose
“Thy will be done.” This is much easier to say, than actually apply.
I desperately want to please God. I want to know Him and to hear Him speak. I want to walk with Him and enjoy the blessings of drawing near to His heart.
Throughout my life I have often thought it would take a lot of work, big changes and miraculous blessings to experience God’s will for my life. Sometimes it seemed like distant goal, a long shot, nearly impossible or completely unattainable.
I am learning God’s will is a lot like His mercy. It’s new every day. It used to seem like a far off unreachable goal reserved for pastors, teachers and those much more spiritually mature than me. I felt like maybe someday I would be good enough and know God well enough to fulfill His perfect will for my life.
There’s a freedom I’ve come to know and experience in God’s presence, God’s power and God’s peace. His will for me is to give Him glory. His purpose for me is to shine His light in every place He takes me. It may be in washing the dirty dishes, folding the laundry or wiping peanut butter and jelly from the precious face of one of my children.
For you, it may be a simple smile, holding a door for someone, speaking truth into a dry soul or loving on an aging parent. Don’t let anyone ever talk you into the idea that someday you’ll do something great for God.
Love God and His purpose right where you are.
That’s His will. It’s not a place, a moment or a tangible goal. It’s every day the little choices we make. It’s how we respond to our spouse, how we show love to our neighbor, how we take time to pray. God’s purpose for you and me is to give Him glory in all we do.
It’s not a church game we play. It’s day in and day out. Seeking God through His word and through prayer and then living it out through His strength and love – that is God’s will.
Wherever you are today, you are right in the middle of God’s will. What you do there, that’s your choice.
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Proverbs 16:9
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
Don’t get discouraged by the thoughts of a ruined life, tragedy, mistake, misfortune, or what might come to pass someday. Yes, we will have hard times. Yes, we will face results of sin and mistakes. Yes, we will make decisions we wish we could change, but that doesn’t mean we cannot experience and pursue God’s will. God used many mistakes in the Bible to teach us amazing lessons of His mercy, His providence, His grace, His love and His sovereignty. God has a purpose for you no matter what your life has looked liked before today.
Today is your day to say, “Thy will be done.” I hope you and your family will join me as we focus on God’s purpose this week!
Rest in His purpose. Be blessed in it. In case you missed it here are the links to the previous posts in this series:
God’s Presence
God’s Power
God’s Peace
Love & Blessings,
Micah