What Is God's Will for My Life?

Lutherans have a fancy label for the idea we’ve been considering in the last few posts.  It’s called “the doctrine of vocation.”  And it is a very encouraging and empowering doctrine!  It says, “God has called you to be and do what you are and do as Christian!”  On one level, your “vocation” is “a baptized child of God” no matter what you do.  But on another level, your “vocation” is all of the different roles, responsibilities and service opportunities you have assumed, because you carry them out AS a baptized child of God.

Sometimes Christians are tempted to ask, “What would God have me do with my life?” And then they become paralyzed waiting for a bolt of blinding clarity to come to them.  

There’s nothing wrong with wanting God to guide your decisions, especially when you are contemplating a change in work or lifestyle.  But Christians who ask “what would God have me do?” are often convinced that it’s “something different.”  In other words, they want a change and they believe that God wants them to change, too.

The truth, though, is that God wants you to serve Him where you are RIGHT NOW!  That doesn’t mean you can’t make a change in work or lifestyle, but it does mean that God has good work for you to do right now in the meantime!  

Don’t get frustrated that God hasn’t given you a “bolt of blinding clarity” while you pray over a change.  Whether you make the change or not, God wants to work through you where you are!  Wherever you are, there are people around you to bear with, love and forgive.  Whatever work you do, you can work as though serving the Lord with your work.