Unfinished Faith: Relearning God.

Week 26:

The bit where I introduce:

I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost count on the number of times I’ve asked God what’s next for my life. Those crossroad moments where you just don’t know what’s next, where you are headed, is this an ending or a beginning? But something I’ve discovered is that wherever He’s lead me, there was always preparation before, of my heart and my mind to be where I needed in Him, however long that took. I would often ask and honestly beg sometimes for God to reveal the next step, but all the while He wanted to shape me to take the next step. Transformation precedes discernment.

The bit where I refer to the Bible and ask a few questions:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (read the whole chapter)

Romans 12 reminds us that God’s will is not merely about discovering the right destination but becoming the kind of people who reflect the character of Jesus in every area of life.

So often, we want to know the where though don’t we? Maybe it’s just me, but we really don’t want to do the work to get there or be wanting to submit to what He wants to teach us beforehand. It’s the process, not the destination for God.

If we’re honest, many of us approach God wanting answers before transformation. We want to know which job to take, whether to move, who to marry, or what the future holds. We ask for a roadmap, while God often invites us into a relationship. We want certainty; He develops trust. We want quick direction; He patiently shapes our character. Our impatience longs for immediate clarity, but God’s priority is often our spiritual maturity, however long that takes!

 Roman’s 12:2 asks us to be transformed first, which makes it easier for us to figure out His will for us, because of course the closer we are to Him and conform to His image, it makes sense we can understand more readily what He wants from us in every area of our lives, not just the areas we try and keep hidden, or the things we ought to change for the next part in the journey. Sounds so logical, doesn’t it?

An interesting point I discovered through reading some commentaries is in fact  Romans 12:2 doesn’t teach that God’s will is a hidden mystery waiting to be uncovered. Not at all, Paul is saying that as our minds are transformed by God’s Spirit, we grow in wisdom and maturity, enabling us to recognise and choose what pleases God. Not what pleases or is easiest for us.

 Understanding that part, flows from transformation. Before God reveals what, He wants us to do, He is often shaping who He wants us to become. So, we can best reflect Him in the next job, the next relationship, the next move, the next place, the next leap of faith.

If you’re waiting for God to reveal your next step, don’t become so consumed with the future that you neglect today’s faithfulness. Instead of asking, “God, what do You want me to do next?” also ask, “God, who are You shaping me to become today?” Spend some time with Him, just Him and you, reading the bible, invite Him to renew your mind, and faithfully obey what He has already made clear. As you walk closely with Him, you’ll often find that His direction becomes clearer, not because you’ve discovered a detailed roadmap, but because you’re learning to recognise the Shepherd’s voice. It’s never wrong.

The bit where you get to think about stuff: Questions for the week.

Am I asking God primarily to reveal my future, or am I allowing Him to transform my heart in the present?

 Where in my life am I resisting God’s timing because I value certainty more than trust?

 If God didn’t reveal His entire plan right now in this chapter, would I still choose to faithfully obey the next step He has already placed before me?