How to fathom God's will.

If you are like me, you have found yourself asking God many times, sometimes so earnestly, to reveal His will for your life. It is only recently that I discovered the formula to knowing God's will.

I will go right ahead and give it to you! Here you go!

-(WS)+(GPS)=GPW

This is not as cool; unfortunately, or as complex as it may seem. Let me give it to you one more time. Here you go again!

-(Worldly standards)+(a Godly Paradigm Shift)= God's Perfect will

I derived this formula from Romans 12:2, a verse I have known all by life but only now did God reveal something peculiar.

" Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world but let God transform you by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God-What is good, and is pleasing to Him and is perfect."

Let's dive right in and discuss each segment of this equation.

1. -(Worldly Standards)

"Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world"

The palmary definition of the word conform for me is to be in agreement or harmony. Therefore the question would be, what are those things that we have allowed ourselves to be in agreement with and to live in harmony with, yet we know that they are worldly.

As a child of God, I believe that He has instilled in you a conscience that can discern good from evil, and as you read this I am praying that God convicts you to examine your life.

I recognize that I can not draw the line. I too am a sinner and have fallen short of the glory of God. I urge you to take a minute to think about your life. To think about the thing that you have conformed to that is not of God.

Confront your truest self and confess it to God in sincerity. God is happy with us when we are completely transparent with Him. You can make a list if you so wish. He sees everything but he wants to hear you acknowledge your weaknesses and your need for the saviour.

Give that list to God and trust in your heart that He is merciful to forgive you and restore His initial plan for your life. This is the beginning of the journey of subtraction. The Laying aside of every sin that clings and refusing to conform to the standards of this world. You will not be alone. The Holy Spirit will be your helper.

2. +(Godly Paradigm Shift)

Am so glad Godly paradigm shift turned out to have the GPS acronym. It so relates to the next part of this equation.

A paradigm shift according to Merriam Webster dictionary is an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.

"but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind"

It is simply allowing God to be the guide of your life. It is about letting go and letting God. The literal common clause "Jesus take the wheel!"

I wondered how God can transform a person's way of thinking, but the Holy Spirit led me to know it is by spending time in the presence of God and studying His word.

I will repeat that so that it does not get washed away in the long sentence and escape your notice. God transforms us when we spend time in His presence. He would only carve a new pattern of thought in you through His word.

"For the Word of God is Alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.

To demystify the term 'spending time in the presence of God', I would like to define it as quiet private time set aside and dedicated to praying, Studying the Bible and meditating upon the word of God.

As You do this, God will begin to work on you from the inside out. Your thoughts and your actions will be more inclined to Him. Which means that you should be ready for a change to occur. This may be an uncomfortable process as the spirit of God supersedes your ingrained pattern of thought to instill kingdom principles in you.

I am still undergoing this process myself. And I will promise you that it can be lonely, preposterous, hurting, humbling and confusing, to say the least. And yet God demands our obedience.

It is encouraging to believe in His word that He will bring to completion the good work He started in us. That when we wait on Him He shall renew our strength. We will run and not grow weary. We will walk and not be faint.

3. =God's Perfect Will

I have observed that when you continue to spend time in God's presence, He begins to instruct you on things He wants you to do.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

He instills in you a passion for things you never imagined. He commands you to do things that are off-limits to your human nature. He consequently leads you to know His will.

"then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good, and is pleasing to Him, and is perfect."

The beautiful thing is that as you get to know God's will, It is not only good, It is not only pleasing, it is perfect!

There is just something so perfect about perfection! Everyone wants the perfect shoe, the perfect wedding dress, the perfect match, the perfect perfect.

So the confidence of knowing that God's will is perfect has made me want His more than mine.

I urge you not to settle for less, but that you will take the long but sure route of seeking God's Perfect. You're perfect!

Lots of Love,

Joanna