When I was young I had no idea what God’s will was. I didn’t even really know who God was, but that’s a story for another day. I thought God spoke to the priests, pastors, and prophets only. I had no idea there was so much knowledge, wisdom, and instructions that God left for each of us that is clear enough to understand. We often want to know what God wants us to do but rarely listen to Him. We speak at Him and give Him our to-do list and expect the great Creator to make things happen. He can and He does make things happen, but there is more to our faith and relationship with God than just financial and physical breakthroughs (which if we are genuinely honest with each other here, they make up 80% of our prayer lists). Well then you ask, God what is your will for me in my life? Here are a few of them:
1 Thessalonians 5 vs 16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
This one’s direct isn’t it? Maybe not. Let’s dissect it verse by verse.
1 Thessalonians 5 vs 16
Rejoice always,
What does it mean to rejoice? The dictionary definition is to feel or show great happiness about something. We are called to rejoice always in every situation. But rejoice in what? The goodness of God. His mercies that never end, His grace that has no limits and His love that is endless. What if I don’t understand these things you may think? Have you ever looked out to just appreciate God’s creation? Or maybe the good things you have or had. Things may not be so good now but be glad and rejoice in the goodness & blessings you experienced at some point. Rejoice to God for what is to come.
1 Thessalonians 5 vs 17
pray without ceasing,
Namata, namata, namata!!! I remember my mother and aunts telling us during bible study that everytime one of them went to gogo for some advice she would listen to them and her main response would be namata, talk to God about it. Talk and listen to God. If Jesus, the son of God, prayed so much, what more isu hedu? Usanete ramba uchinamata. God hears every single prayer and sees every tear, and the more we seek Him the more we place our burdens in His hands and worry less & trust that He has a plan.
1 Thessalonians 5 vs 17
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
For your life, blessings, the little money you have, the family you have (nyangwe vachiroya kana kunetsa, pray for them), the transport you had at one point when you were so frustrated from waiting for someone to pick you up, that job that you really don’t like but have to pay you some money or experience, those prayers answered that you fasted for but quickly forgot they were blessings from God, your country that you always complain about, well at least you can walk freely, hustle and proclaim your faith without AK47 bullets flying over your head, for the gift of faith and the presence of God, for the things you envision and see in the future, give thanks to God. There is so much that God does for us that we simply choose to ignore. Look around and start thanking God for His provision. You can start by taking a little book or piece of paper and writing for the next 30 days, 5 things each day that you are thankful for, things that happened to you or even others, things you have etc. I promise you by the end of this 30 day journey, you’ll see you have more than you thought you had. Be thankful always, rejoice always and pray always, this is God’s will for you.
Now is a non-exhaustive list of some verses you can go and read to help you understand God’s written will for us. There’s plenty more!
Luke 9:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Peter 2:15, 1 John 1:9,
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Peter 3:17, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 4:2