Sheila Walsh - Living a Purposeful Life

2003 Thomas Nelson

Previously published as Discovering Gods Will for Your Life.

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Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV).
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ISBN: 978-0-3106-8251-6

ISBN: 978-0-3106-8252-3 (eBook)

First Printing March 2016

CONTENTS

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

As a teenager growing up in a small fishing town on the west coast of Scotland, Ihad one question that followed me wherever I went. It popped up unexpectedly atpicnics and outings, at school and in church, as I lay down to sleep at night, andwhen I would wake on cold winter mornings savoring the last few moments before Ihad to get out of bed. It was a simple question but a weighty one: What is Godspurpose for my life?

My fear was that I would miss it. What if God was going to give me The Big Planat a Sunday evening service and I missed it because I stayed home to watch The WaltonsChristmas special? Or what if I started well and then took a side turn and missedGods best plan? What if I married the wrong person or took the wrong jobwould Godby-pass my life? Would that mean that He didnt love me as much anymore?

I was sure that my salvation was intact, but I feared that I might miss the one thingthat God had called me to and then He would give it to someone else. I imagined myselfputtering through the rest of my life speculating as to where I went wrong and howlife might have been different if I had just gotten it right.

My understanding has changed over the years. I know now that God loves to revealHis will to us. He is after our hearts allegiance, not our perfect performance.God is a loving Father, not a circus side show vendor hiding His plan for us underone of three coconut shells, camouflaging it by divine sleight of hand.

I am often asked at Women of Faith conferences:

How do I know what Gods will is for my life?

How do I know who God wants me to marry?

How do I know what job to take?

If I miss Gods will, have I ruined my life?

There are certain things that we know for sure. We know that it is Gods purposefor us to love Him body, soul, mind, and heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves,but what about the things we dont know for sure? The Bible doesnt tell us whichcar to buy or how many children we should have and at what age. This freedom canfeel threatening at times, but Jesus doesnt want us to live in fear. He said, Thethief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might havelife, and have it to the full. John 10:10.

Jesus talked about life, about living in liberty, and not being ruled by fear thatwe might make a wrong choice. Following God is a great adventure. Jesus is withus, always. We have not been left in the dark. There is a pathway. Welcome to theadventure!

Sheila Walsh

There are times when oh, what we wouldnt give for a little direction. Desperatelywe long for Gods guidance. How many times have I heard people say, I really wantto do what God wants me to do, but what is it? What is His will anyway?

Luci Swindoll

There are so many big decisions in life! Should I get married? Should we start afamily? Should I stay home with my children? Should I go back to school? Should welook for a new church? Should we move? Should the kids go to a private school? ShouldI look for a new job? In the major choices we face throughout our lifetimes, we wantso badly to do the right thing. We want to follow Gods plan for our lives. We wantto live the life of purpose God has for us.

Then there are all the little decisions in life! Do I have time to join a Bible study?Should we buy a puppy? Will the car make it another year? Can we afford to give extramoney for missions? Should I introduce myself to the new neighbors? Will I get tiredof this wallpaper in three months? What should I make for dinner? In the little decisionsof our everyday lives, does God have a plan for us, too?

Well, the Bibles lessons for us are not quite so specific. We cannot turn the pagesof Scripture and discover that according to 3 Hesitations 21:4 that Bernice shouldbe a veterinarian when she grows up. However, there are verses that actually sayThis is the will of God.

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forwardon a firm footing.

Psalm 143:10, NLT

YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Matthew 6:10, NKJV

A s we ponder the big questions in life, our minds wander down well-worn paths. WhoamI?What should I do? Where should I go? Why am I here? We long to do somethingofvalue,to be recognized, to distinguish ourselves, and to leave a legacy. AsChristians,wealso wish to discover Gods will for our lives. Surely He is alreadylayingthegroundwork for our lofty aspirations in life. Then, when things dontquitemeetour expectations, we are perturbed. And if they take a dire turn intodisaster,weare perplexed. What went wrong? We missed the point.

The thing is, Gods will is just thatGods will. He tends to do things His way,in His time, according to His own plan, and with His own purposes in mind. God oftenignores our agenda! Over and over the Scriptures bring up an important theme: Myways are not like your ways! Sometimes we need a gentle reminder that Hes not likeus.