Some people agonize over the Lord’s will for their lives. These are good people, well-meaning, honestly-searching people. There are callings on people’s lives–the call to become a pastor, a missionary, a teacher, a homemaker, a mom or a dad. But, I don’t think it is terribly hard to find God’s plan for each person; it is right in front of us, in the Bible. The Ten Commandments? These aren’t the Ten Suggestions. Each one is there for a purpose and I’d say obeying them is certainly God’s will. Loving our neighbor, doing good, speaking kindly, forgiving, caring for others–these are all God’s will.
It seems to me that sometimes we spend years searching for something really big to do for God, some way to make a huge difference in the world. Don’t get me wrong–I believe there are special people who are equipped or who become equipped to do great and wonderful things that change people’s lives for the better. Medical missionaries, scientists, preachers, political personages; all these are avenues for performing lasting good.
But, there is the day-to-day rest of us. It seems to me if the Lord wants you to do something, He equips you to do it. He puts a yearning, a desire, an aptitude within you. You are drawn to a certain area of life and are generally good at and happy with it. Sometimes we strain our ears listening for God’s voice and it is right there within our hearts and minds, quietly speaking, if we just heed.
Often, it’s the tiny steps, the baby steps that are necessary for the bigger ones. When I started playing the piano, lo! and these many years ago, I did not like sitting still on the piano bench, practicing scales and simple tunes that didn’t sound like tunes.
But, when I worked my way to the end of that first book, I was ready for the second one! It had prettier songs and they were harder to play, but because my fingers knew what to do on those first easy pieces, they quickly became adept at the harder ones. Well, I finished that second book, and the next one and the next, and I was on my way! Now, I love playing for my own enjoyment but I do believe it sounds better because of those first baby steps.
I guess my purpose in writing this morning is just to encourage those of us who get frustrated or tired of wondering what the Lord’s will is. We forget that He is in charge; we are not. He puts the aptitudes and desires within us. It isn’t His will for us to lie or steal or say mean and hateful things. As St. Paul says in Philippians 4:8, we are to think on things that are pure, honest, true, virtuous and praiseworthy. To think on them is to do them, don’t you agree?
We are faced with many small choices each day–to do good or evil, to be kind or mean, to do the Lord’s will or our own. It’s the small things that are important. Maybe they will lead to bigger, better things or maybe–just maybe–they themselves are the bigger things and they were never little in the first place. 
Speak Your Mind