When I was in high school I “surrendered to ministry.” Now for those of you who are not from the Baptist tradition, that means that I dedicated my life to a career of full-time occupational service to God. I did not know what that would look like then but I knew that I wanted to follow God’s leadership in my life. I began to talk to people about discerning “God’s will for my life.” That became a mystical and very illusive goal for me. Over the years, that “will” has taken several different forms. God has used experiences and periods in my life to grow me and prepare me for the next stage. The key, I have learned, is staying engaged through it all. It is easy to see our current state as a preparation for the next, (i.e. I am in college now but when I get out, I am really going to serve God then). We have to be about serving God in every stage of life.
I am beginning to see that maybe I should be less concerned about discerning God’s will for my life and more concerned about making sure I am on the path that leads to God. Perhaps the Jesus way is more about a journey or process than an accomplishment. As long as I am seeking daily to do what I know to do to follow God, then maybe, just maybe, the rest will take care of itself.
Are you on that path? My prayer for us today is this:
Father, give us a faith that is so much more than a subscription to a belief system or religious tradition – give us a living and breathing faith lived out every day – a path that leads to You.
Amen
Clay in the Hands 
Thanks Brian for your blog. The message really hit home with me. It took me a long time to realize in my own life that following God did not necessarily mean seeking out ways I could serve him but being open to the opportunities I am given every day. I used to struggle with the song, “I surrender all” because I felt I would have to go home and pack my bags for Africa if I surrendered all to Christ. When I began to ask God to show me how I could serve him every day right where I was at the door flew open. The opportunity was there all the time I just wasn’t still long enough to see it.
My husband and I attended your church Sunday to see Bryant baptized. I really enjoyed the warmth of everyone there. I grew up in FBC but I haven’t been back in a long time. There is definitely evidence of a sweet spirit and true worship. Thanks for doing what you do.
Lisa
As a child, many, many years ago, I was taught to seek God’s will in my life. The question “How will I know?” has always been there. When I read your comment about being less concerned about discerning God’s will for my life and making sure I was on the path that leads to God……that’s what it’s all about! Jesus way……..a journey. You bet!
I really enjoy reading your blog and look forward to it everyday. Your last 2 really hit home with me and about 1000 comments came to mind, but I was having a hard time verbalizing. I also subscribe to an email called “Daily Scripture” and as I was pondering your blogs this morning, this is what popped in my In Box.
My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course.
Proverbs 23:19 (New Living Translation)
The dictionary defines course as 1 : the act or action of moving in a path from point to point
2 : the path over which something moves
Isn’t it amazing how God works if we have our eyes open.
[…] Jesus someday than it is this day. I have talked about this before (you can take a look at that post here). We are concerned about “knowing” God’s will when really we should be more […]