Life is always changing, and with change comes the need to make decisions. Some of these choices may have minor consequences, while others could alter the course of the one life God has given us. No pressure, right? Thankfully, just as we trust Him with our eternity, we can also trust Him to guide us through life's decisions. After all, He sacrificed everything for us; surely He won’t leave us to figure things out on our own. His Word not only confirms this promise (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5), but it also offers practical wisdom for discerning His will when life’s changes come our way.
One passage that has helped me seek His guidance is Colossians 3:14-17. Paul reminds us that as believers, we are now in Christ. We are no longer guided by our old selves but by Jesus, who always did the will of the Father. Even when Jesus struggled with the path before Him, He submitted to God's will (Luke 22:42). As members of His body, we too have His Spirit, empowering us to hear and follow God's will.
The first step, Paul tells us, is love: “Above all these things, put on love” (Colossians 3:14). Love is what binds the body of Christ together (Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 4:3). Just as a physical body functions properly when its parts are healthy and responding to the head, so too the body of Christ must be united in love to function correctly under Christ’s direction. Without love, we become like a sick body that doesn’t listen to the mind’s commands. Before seeking God's will for a specific situation, we should ask ourselves: Am I living in His love? Am I loving others as He has called me to do?
Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:23-24 that if we are offering our gift and remember someone has something against us, we should reconcile before offering worship. Likewise, before expecting God to guide us, we must ensure we are walking in love—doing what He has already commanded. If we aren’t loving others, how can we expect to hear clearly from Christ, our Head?
The second step is peace. Paul writes, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15). The word "rule" is significant, coming from a Greek term meaning "umpire." Just as an umpire makes the final call in a game, God's peace should be the decisive factor in our hearts, guiding our choices. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, and in return, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. If we lack peace about a decision, it may be a signal from God to pause and wait. It's important to remember that peace doesn’t always align with the easiest or most comfortable path; sometimes the most challenging decisions bring the deepest peace. God's peace, one that surpasses all understanding, should ultimately be what leads us forward.
Third, Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16). Scripture is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). The Word and the Spirit work together to guide us into truth (John 16:13). In Ephesians 5:18-19, Paul makes a similar connection between being filled with the Spirit and being filled with the Word. Both lead us to a life of worship, thanksgiving, and joyful singing. The Word and Spirit dwell in us, teaching and guiding us, empowering us to live a life that reflects God's glory.
Finally, Paul says, “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). When we act in someone’s name, we are representing them. This often causes me to pause and ask: Is what I’m seeking to do something Jesus Himself would do? Will others see this as something done in His name? Will it bring glory to God, even to those who don’t believe? In all things, we should strive to bring glory to Jesus, trusting that He will guide us as we step out in faith.
When we reflect on these principles—love, peace, the Word, and acting in Jesus' name—we often find clarity in our decisions. Aligning ourselves with God's will in these ways allows us to trust Him to lead us, even when we don't fully understand. Just as God guided Paul in Acts 16:6-7, sometimes closing doors to prevent him from going the wrong way, He guides us too, often calling us to take steps of faith without seeing the whole picture. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Ultimately, it's not about having all the answers but about walking closely with Jesus in faith. As we do so, we can step forward with confidence, trusting that He will faithfully direct our paths.
Add comment
Comments