If you want to know God’s will for you personally, you can.  However, very few are interested in finding out.  In 1963 Paul Anka wrote the song: “My Way” and Frank Sinatra sang it.  From 1963 to 1971 it was a top hit.  In 1977 Elvis Presley recorded it and again it was a top hit.  Most of us are interested in doing life: “My Way”.   How many even considered that there is another way and that is God’s way?

If you are interested you can know what GOD’s WILL for your life is.  First you must realize that Satan and our carnal nature will throw all kinds of hindrances in our way.  Our relationship with Christ will be hindered by a poor self-image, a defeatist attitude, feeling rejected, afraid of failing, fear of failure, the need to procrastinate, a lack of self-control, a negative attitude, always suspicious or being indecisive and unable to make correct moral decisions.  If you are suffering from some of these hindrances you may feel God has no purpose or plan for you at all.  The Bible tells us differently.  God knew and loved every one of us and had a plan laid out before we were ever conceived.

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”   My study Bible says that “God knew us long before we were born or even conceived.  He thought about you and planned for you.  When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of you as valuable and that He has a purpose in mind for you.”

The Bible is very clear that God has a plan for us and he created us with the abilities to fulfill whatever the plan might be. Satan has an agenda to keep us from performing what God had intended for us just like he did for Adam and Eve.  It is Satan who plants the seeds of insecurity, low self-esteem, unworthiness and even the fear to stop us from completing what God intended. He may use parents, siblings, teachers or employers to put us down.  It seems he finds ways to discourage and defeat us, but only if we allow it.  Most people live lives with God-given gifts that they have never developed or used.  What would the world be like if we all sought God’s intended purpose and we used our talents to go with it?

We start with the Ten Commandments.  Then we follow the guidance given by Christ.  We determine what our temperaments are in order to find a career.  If we like fixing things probably we should become a plumber, an electrician or an engineer.  If we are shy probably God did not intend that we get into sales.  If we like leading or overseeing others we know that management might be a good option.  If we are a perfectionist we are more suited to solving problems.  If we are extremely outgoing there are many opportunities.  God gave us different temperaments so we wouldn’t all be alike but each have many positives.

We must remember that God gave us His Spirit to assist and guide us in making choices.  Let me give an illustration as to how the Holy Spirit may help.  You are a young lady with a degree in theology.  You are heading a youth group in a large Evangelical church.  Tim Tebow comes to your church to speak.  He finds you attractive and asks for a date.  He seems to be serious in his relationship with you.  You have the same beliefs, similar goals and find him easy to get along with.  However, there is one negative.  You hate football.  That could be your clue that he was not meant for you.  Otherwise, I believe God would have made you a real fan.  How many young ladies would turn him down, regardless?  Yet, many when choosing a spouse reject anything that may be the least bit negative.  Believing this might be the best chance they could get.  Would a guy turn down the most popular girl in school?  Are we looking for what others will think if I get the one all the guys would die for?  Think of the boost to our ego?  Do any of us, in that situation, ask God Who He would choose for us?  Every day we are faced with similar decisions and we end up singing: “My Way”.

One thing I learned was the importance of preparation that the Apostle Paul continually stressed.  It was the key to success.  I learned the seriousness of trusting in God’s promises.  I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have confidence and comfort in what we were doing, a guiding hand to do it well and a purpose in life.  God had opened doors through which we could chose to enter. Yes, there were times that doors slammed shut and probably kept me from going in the wrong direction.

There were two times I was given an opportunity to become wealthy.  I felt led to turn them down.  Had I have chosen either it would have changed my entire life.  As I look back, I would not be doing what I have for the past twenty years if I had an abundance of wealth.  I believe the Holy Spirit knew what was best for me and my family.  God has blessed me in so many ways that I probably would never have had if I chose material things over a spiritual direction and purpose. I have a business, with my family, helping people and with a great satisfaction that I am doing God’s WILL.  Our decisions should not always be what is best for me, but what is God’s plan?

Over the years I never completely knew, for sure, that what I was doing was God’s plan. However, I wanted it to be.  As I look back I feel I have done what God wanted me to do.   It results in a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. I believe part of making decisions is our motive in making them.  I feel the Holy Spirit has prepared me for eternity and that is more important than all of the wealth I could have had.   By the way, He didn’t leave me penniless while on earth.     I found God’s WAY is the best and not “My Way”!