You cannot determine God’s desire for you without giving yourself to Him. In order to give yourself to Him you must forge the time, energy and margins in your life to discover His will for you. The content of your holy work and the context wherein you will invest your life are vital factors. You must move beyond normal shallow thought levels to discover God’s designs. As you surrender yourself to God’s general will, and access His specific will through the means of grace; I pray that you will allow the following principles to guide your search.
PRINCIPLES FOR GUIDANCE
God receiving all the glory from your life must become your point of pivot. God’s glory, at the expense of your own glory, must be the non-negotiable arrow in your decision-quiver. God says, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
A mind bathed in God’s word becomes less and less susceptible to false leadings. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16f). The Holy Spirit presses into your mind the righteousness of certain choices when you investigate the whole Bible for God’s holy wisdom. God’s written counsel assures enlightenment.
God’s general will for you is unmistakable and comprehensible:
- “Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
- “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
- “For this is the will of God, your sanctification… For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a, 7).
- “…to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12).
You will not discover God’s specific will for you unless you remain in His general will.
You must take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). God withholds His counsel when absolute surrender is lacking. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Lot’s wife looked back; you look ahead. You reach forward to what lies ahead; pressing “on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Move your horizons out so that you recognize what lies ahead. Plan from the end goal back to where you are rather than from where you are to where you think God wants you. You are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that you should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Think more than you act. Absent yourself from non-edifying commotion and diversions. Refuse to confuse activity with progress. Determine quickly the appropriateness of any proposed gain against the calculated expense. Expect opposition. Make informed decisions without complete information. Tutor your mind to appraise, interpret and apply all stimuli. Do not shy from contradicting societal practices, conventional thinking and traditional approaches.
Do not be discouraged pilgrim! Remember the Lord’s promise to those who seek Him with all their heart: “I will be found by you” (Jeremiah 29:14).
Soli Deo Gloria! 
