3 Keys to Navigating God’s Will
Do you ever stop to ask yourself where you are headed? Are you even sure of the direction you are going? Even worse, have you ever tried to figure out how to get somewhere you’ve never been before without the use of a map or GPS to guide you?
It’s quite frustrating when we become lost on our journey. Even more so when we continue taking the same road only to realize we are going around in a circle. But life can be just that. I know I’ve been known to circle the roundabout a few too many times before getting back on track. And this is just what it is like when we journey through life without God’s help guiding us.
Whether it’s a mountain, we continue to go around or a roundabout we circle, trying to reach our destination without God’s help is a futile attempt. We can only fulfill our purpose with God’s GPS – God’s Plan of Salvation – guiding us.
So, pause for a moment and reflect on what or who is guiding you. Who is directing your steps? Are you walking with your eyes closed in blind faith, or are you allowing God to lead you?
Are You Prepared for the Journey?
Here’s what I know to be true – we use various devices every day to help us navigate the unknown. I use Google for information and directions. I ask Siri how to get to a particular destination or pop the address into my car’s navigational system, and off I go. So, why then do we overlook or postpone seeking God’s direction for our life? Isn’t this the most important destination for us? It certainly is for me.
Think about this. Today or maybe the past few days, have you sought God for direction? Did you take the time to pray, plan, and prepare for your journey? We prepare for our road trips by servicing our vehicle, checking the tires, and putting gas in the tank. But we tend to move through life with little preparation as we wonder why we do not feel fulfilled or we believe we are not living out our purpose.
As we move about, we continue to circle the roundabout called life as we wonder if we are headed in the right direction. I can tell you that if you are not seeking God, it’s going to be tough to change directions or exit the roundabout. You see, only God knows the future and what lies ahead. He is the ultimate source, and if we are not seeking Him daily, we will have no idea where we are headed. We just keep circling!
I share with my clients, Christian Coaching consists of reflecting on where you’ve been, where you are now, and where God wants you to be – it’s bringing God into the coaching session. Through prayer, scripture, and reflection, goals are set, and action steps are created to help the client move forward. Sounds easy, right? Well, it’s not always an easy task, but this is where Christian coaching differs from coaching. God guides the conversations and processes. Did you know Jesus was the Master Coach?
God is the navigational system in Christian coaching. He is the way, the truth, and the life. His word will direct your steps and is the foundation of your journey. I hope you’re ready to get off the roundabout and take steps to live out your purpose with God’s help. This week, we’re going to make that happen as we take a look at 3 keys to navigating God’s will for your life. Are you ready?
The 1st Key to Navigating God’s Will – Become Intimate with God.
The first key to navigating God’s will is to place your trust fully in God and stay connected to Him. The success of our journey is dependent upon our trust and faithfulness in our loving God.
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT
If you genuinely want to fulfill your purpose and the plans God has for you, you must spend time with Him daily. To know God’s voice and discern when He is directing us, we must know Him on a deeper, more intimate level. Think of someone who means a lot to you, someone such as a husband, child, parent, or friend. You spend time with this individual because you have a genuine love for them. But what if you never spent time with that person? Would you recognize their voice or know their heart? Would you have a close relationship with them? It isn’t easy to know someone you never spend time with, and it is challenging to trust someone you know only on the surface.
My friend, our beautiful God is the same. When we spend time in passionate prayer, meditation, and studying the Word of God, we discover who He is, and we learn what brings joy to His heart.
If you truly desire to strengthen your journey, spend time with God daily. Glorify God through your prayers and petitions. Meditate on His word and trust in Him to lead your footsteps.
The 2nd Key to Navigating God’s Will – Pray about Everything.
The second key is to pray about everything laying our cares and worries at the feet of God. So often, in our journey, we become disheartened and allow our thoughts to direct our hearts. When we begin to feel at a loss, and we are not sure which direction to take, we run in every direction, hoping to find what we are searching for. When this happens, we’ve placed the trust in our less than capable hands and not the more than capable hands of our loving God.
“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:6-7 TPT
There are many truths shared in these verses that teach us how to live in the fullness of Christ. We are encouraged not to worry, present our needs to God, and praise Him for the many gifts He has given us. As you focus on God, saturate yourself with prayer (all day long), and bring your faith-filled requests to Him (requests that glorify Him and are not self-serving).
If you desire to live a life of purpose, you must saturate yourself in prayer. As you seek God, His wonderful peace will direct your way, and the answers will be known to you.
The 3rd Key to Navigating God’s Will – Place Your Trust in God.
The 3rd and final key to navigating God’s will is to place your trust in God. When we need direction, we can trust God to guide us. As David did in Psalm 143, he surrendered and appealed to God to show him the way.
“Let the dawning day bring me revelation of your tender, unfailing love. Give me light for my path and teach me, for I trust in you.” Psalm 143:8 TPT
These words remind me of the importance of beginning each day in surrender to God. When we surrender, we are placing our full trust and confidence in our heavenly father. And we can confidently follow His leading as He lights the way for us.
Has there been a time in your life where you surrendered to God, and He guided you in the way you should go? It’s times like this when God shows up that I am grateful for His love and protection.
Very recently, we experienced a heavy heart over a situation. It was challenging not to allow the situation to fill us with worry and dread. We had a decision to make, either allow the stress and worry to overcome us or surrender to God and place our trust in Him. As I spent time on my knees in prayer, this verse came to me, and I knew that unless I placed my full trust in God and surrendered, I would be overcome with worry. As I write these words, I am blessed to share that God showed up, and I am very grateful for His blessing.
What about you? Is there an area in your life that you need to surrender to God? Is there a situation or concern that you have yet to release and place in God’s hands? Do you continue to stay mired without any hopes for getting unstuck? My dear friend, would you please stop right now and surrender your situation to God? This very moment, would you lift up your requests to God and surrender?
If you desire to live a purposeful life in the fullness of Christ, place your full trust and confidence in God.
God’s Love is Endless!
I hope you will use these three keys to unlock your purpose and move into your calling.
If you seek God’s will for your life, I pray you will develop a deeper intimacy with God, spend time in prayer and petition, and fully place your trust in Him.
“You keep every promise you’ve ever made to me! Since your love for me is constant and endless, I ask you, Lord, to finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!” Psalm 138:8 TPT
God longs for us to trust Him with our lives.
God equips, encourages, and empowers us through His word.
God longs for us to seek Him.
When we spend time with God and surrender to His calling, we place our confidence in Him. And when we surrender, God will do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine. He is a good God and Father and knows precisely what we need. Won’t you reach out to Him today and seek Him with all your heart? God is so worthy of our trust and praise. To God be the glory!
Keep on shining!
