The topic of God's will is on my mind this morning so I thought that I might opine about it a little. Once upon a time I embraced a pretty traditional view of the topic in that I saw the will of the Almighty in events. World events. Local events. Family events. Personal events. These days I see God's will not so much in events but in how we respond to those events and the sort of person that they make us. Consider what the Apostle Paul had to say on the matter in the biblical book of Romans:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."What I get from this verse is that God will use anything to make us like him. Like a divine maestro he orchestrates both the good and bad events of our lives to conform us and mold us into human beings who reflect his image.
I think that this is a helpful mindset to have when we are struggling and in pain. Knowing that God's will is not about the events but about our character really encourages me. Does it encourage you?
... originally posted in July 2011
That is very encouraging. Thank you for writing this. =)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Having our mind renewed daily, strengthen our character. Love another verse in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer 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."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brother. It is enough to know that God uses sin, pain,sorrow, etc to shape and mold me, but knowing it is to make me like Him makes it bearable.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to remind ourselves and others the context of "all things work together for good ..."
Very well said. I too have been musing the same subject... What is God's will? And I came to a similar conclusion... similar.
ReplyDeleteI believe that God's will is the reason He sent His son.
No, not really. That means that we can for sure know we are going through trials, just as Jesus did. And no, it brings me no comfort knowing that He overcame the world--he still suffered and was tortured! Even if all for a good end, there is no comfort in that forging or trial. We are not God and are not finite here so pain is pain, suffering is suffering. It is never great even if it forges something great in the end. Unless a masochist, I don't see how that is meant to being encouragement in the midst of it. The only encouragement might be that it will end at some point..perhaps.
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