How do we know it’s God’s will?

How do we know the inspiration, idea, or “next great thing” that just popped into our head is God-inspired and not our own wishful thinking or someone else's manipulations? How do we discern God’s leading from our own? 

We at Grace are in the process of discerning what God may be calling us to do with the Wester gift, but this is a question that’s as old as, well, as old as seeking and following God. What is God calling us to do in the world? And, with all the competing (and conflicting) claims we hear from self-proclaimed “prophets,” how do we know what’s God’s will and what’s somebody else’s (or our own) agenda?

Last week, Pastor Jay talked about discerning God’s will for the church. These are the main points he made, along with my brief notes (which may be different from what others heard):

1. The Church IS God’s mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus: We think about going out and “doing mission,” but we ourselves are a mission. The Good News is that, through Jesus, we have hope.
2. To bring people into a life-giving relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior: There’s a transforming power in the Gospel that makes people better, more like Jesus.
3. As we joyfully serve God – filled with God’s Holy Spirit – to our life’s end… and beyond: Our chief aim is to know and enjoy God forever.

I appreciate what Jay said because it focuses on God’s work among us. First and foremost, we are God’s people. Too often, we hear someone begin with, “God spoke to me…” and then go into something that’s more about their interests (or their group’s interest) than about God. 

Here are some things I’ve found helpful in discerning where or what God may be calling me or the church (whether it’s the neighborhood church or the church universal) to serve. It also helps me filter through the “God said to do this” claims of others. 

The basis is in love, not hate or fear. When John writes “God is love”, when Jesus distills the commandments down to “Love God.. love your neighbor,” and tells his disciples, “they will know you by your love,” it seems to me that love for God, for people, and for all of God’s creation should be at the heart of whatever we do.

It is constructive, not destructive. Paul tells us to use our gifts to build up and encourage all. Jesus came not to condemn the world, but to save it. If we are seeking to follow Jesus, then our focus should be creative and encouraging. 

Our actions should point to God and Jesus, not to us. This is where I have to remind my ego to get out of the way. Jay’s thoughts above make this point better than I can.

Most likely, it’s going to pull me out of my comfort zone. Maybe this doesn't apply to everyone, but it’s a reality I've learned to expect. Jesus may meet me where I am, but Jesus doesn't say, “okay, kick back, get comfortable, and stay there.” Growing in Christ means going places I wouldn't go, doing things I wouldn't necessarily do on my own. I planned to teach at a university and write books, not live in the D.C. suburbs and work for a government agency. But this path I believe God led me down opened more possibilities. I didn't dream of working with youth. When someone told me they could see me being a youth leader one day, I shook my head. College-age, yes. But younger, I couldn't see it. Little did I know that a couple of years later, I would reluctantly help with a youth event (because they couldn't get anyone else to help), and more than a decade later, I’m still working with youth and loving it. God must be smiling.

It passes God’s “laugh test”. For me, that means testing the idea against scripture. Not searching the Bible until I find a passage that can be interpreted as support, but looking for broader context, beginning with the Gospels and considering the broader narrative of God’s relationship with us. It also means not just being open to the ideas of others but actively seeking out their opinions. There’s a synergy that comes out of community because God has given each of us different gifts that, together, can turn into greater things than any of us could do alone. Maybe my idea won’t hold up, or maybe it transforms into something even better with the help of others.  

These things work for me, but they may not be for everyone. What about you?

How do you discern God’s will in your life or in the life of the church?
How do you separate God’s call from your own wishful thinking?
How do you distinguish God’s voice from the noisy proclamations of others?