You Won’t Miss What’s Meant for You

God’s will. Two scary words for anyone in a season of waiting, transition, or decision-making.

Every time I’ve made a life decision over the past several years, I’ve been asked, “Is this choice within God’s will?”.

Usually it comes after I’ve asked for advice, when I’m not sure what is the “right” decision. In these moments of overwhelm and confusion, being thrown this additional component makes the process even more daunting.

Perhaps you’ve been in that situation. You really want to please God with your life, use your gifts for His glory, and live with purpose. But…the will of God can seem so broad and significant that even thinking about it results in a headache.

Here’s the thing: We have no control over God’s will. It will happen regardless of what decision we make. One yes or no isn’t going to ruin God’s plan for our lives.

This news might be a relief, or it might be frustrating to hear. We’d like to think we have some sort of handle on what happens to us, right?

I was rereading Luke 1 today, and a new detail caught my eye. For those of you unfamiliar with the beginning of the Christmas story, it starts off with Zechariah the priest in the temple receiving a message from the angel Gabriel announcing the promise of Zechariah’s son, John the Baptist.

However, what I never noticed before was this detail:

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 

Luke 1:8-9 (added italics)

It was beyond Zechariah’s control to be in the temple that day to receive that message at that specific time, yet God orchestrated it in a way to uniquely speak to Zechariah. Even when Zechariah didn’t believe the angel (and received the consequence of losing his voice for nine months), God’s will was done. No matter what, God knew He wanted to use Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, for the key role of raising up an important leader.

No person, thought, fear, or feeling could remove God’s divine purpose from this family.

God’s will isn’t supposed to be a scary thing that we have to figure out. By prioritizing our relationship with Him and trusting Him with every detail of our lives, we will be able to witness God working even in the most troubling of circumstances. Most of all, as we grow to become more like Him, it will be easier for us to understand how to react when difficult situations arise.

But through it all, even when we make mistakes, God will use you and your special gifts no matter what. He will never leave you alone. ❤

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.”

Luke 1:13-14