by Richelle Hecker

Discerning the Will of God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link. 

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 New American Standard Bible

The first part of these verses seem simple enough. Be wise and make the most of your time. I can at least try to be wise to the best of my ability. I can seek out wisdom. I can be aware of how fleeting time is, and make choices that reflect the things that are truly important. Then we move on to the second part. Do not be foolish and understand what the will of the Lord is. I can at least try not to be foolish, but the hardest directive spoken in this passage is to understand what the will of the Lord is.

It can be difficult to discern the will of the Lord. When I am at a crossroads and really need to make a decision, figuring out God’s will in the situation can be quite frustrating. Sometimes I picture Him standing there shaking His head saying, “I actually don’t care which direction you go, just take one and go!” That’s how it feels when I’m praying and I get no clear answers.

How do we discern God’s will? The very first thing to do is get into His Word. God is quite clear about very specific things we are to do and what we are to avoid doing there. If we do not read it, we cannot know it. Next comes the more difficult part, discerning what to do about things that are not specifically mentioned in the Bible.

This photo reminds me of how God communicates to us during these times. All four traffic lights are lined up and green. We know when we see this it’s time to go! That is how God works, too. Check if you are aligned with God’s Word, then if wise advisors agree, circumstances open up, and nothing is in the way. Go, and go quickly! If one of those lights is yellow or red, take more time in prayer and wait. God will answer and you will be amazed.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO