The Watchman's Diary

Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established (Proverbs 16:3).

Are you seeking the will of God for you; His direction and purposes for you? Well, you are not alone, which I’m sure is not the most comforting words you have heard today. In fact, it may cause some to wonder why so many are wondering about or unsure of God’s will for them when the scriptures say, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open” (Matt 7:7). Shouldn’t these questions be answered once the door is open? Well, maybe that’s the case for some but others may be a bit more challenged.

I offer this as a consideration, that sometimes we are in the middle of God’s will for us and still asking what He would have us do.  In fact, when it seems we are just wondering aimlessly through a desert-like place in life, He is actually building us up for greater things and we are doing just what He wants us to do.  This is hard for me to swallow, and you may have the same reaction because what God has us doing and what we want to do are often at great odds with each other.

Can you think of a day when you just allowed things to happen? Did what you did serve a purpose, serve someone else, serve a cause besides your own? Were your seemingly menial tasks of benefit to someone else? Did you do or say anything that added to your own spiritual growth and of those around you?

I find that we often complain while doing exactly what we like to do. We may even complain when we are exercising our spiritual gifts of giving, doing, supporting, etc. We complain in the middle of doing exactly what we would do anyway if it were on our own terms and in our own time.

My challenge to each of us — notice I said us — is to see God’s purpose in everything we do. Especially when it is not an affront to His kingdom and doesn’t produce sin in our lives. If you find yourself acting on behalf of another when you have similar needs, give glory to God that you can make a difference for that person. If you find yourself just waiting when you feel you could be doing something better with your time, give glory to God that He has given you time to meditate on His presence. Whatever you find yourself doing, just take a moment to dedicate it to the Lord and pay close attention to the outcome.

If we ask, He will give; if we seek Him, we will find Him, and if we knock He will open the door with a warm embrace. What then? As long as we are on this earth we will be sent right back out into the world to do the work He has given us to do but we will never be alone.  So in those moments of uncertainty, speak to the One who is with you and He will help you find the purpose in whatever you are doing.