There are times that discerning the will of God is a study in the seeming undeterminable.
Granted, we have some understanding of His overall will for mankind. But when it comes to trekking the daily dusty road of our individual life, at times we struggle or get stuck, not knowing how or when to move. Even our destination can seem elusive. We know it’s ‘out there somewhere’ – yet it takes all the faith we can muster to keep moving in a direction that is not as clearly marked as we would like.
To illustrate, F.B. Meyer related the following story (my paraphrase) that speaks well to our dilemma:
The ship had set sail for a voyage of many days. Leaving safe harbor, it wasn’t long before they were out on the open sea, any sight of land long gone. Apart from the heavenly lights of sun by day and moon and stars by night, there was little to encourage one’s heart that they knew the course they took.
The captain sailed on, armed with his maps and his sailors with their knowledge of the craft. As the days wore on and the pathless water continued to surround them on all sides, the captain finally announced that it would not be long before they arrived at their destination.
As they approached, the night was inky black, starless sky and dark waters melding as one. The twinkle of a few lights beckoned them on with the promise of solid ground and finding their land legs. Yet between them and the desired port lay shallow reefs and sandbars on which they could prematurely run aground. There was a path of safe entrance into the harbor, but how did the captain know where to direct the ship in such darkness?
An inquisitive passenger asked the captain just that. Pointing to the three pinpricks of light off in the distance, he shared the secret of the successful and safe steering of his vessel…
“When those three harbor lights are lined up as one, I sail straight ahead, confident of my course.”
F.B. Meyer concluded his story with three points that, like those harbor lights, when lined up will allow us to rest in knowing we are aligned with God’s will. These three will always concur:
1 – A Holy Spirit-impelled* heart
2 – God’s Word corroborating the heart
3 – God’s activity – aka, our circumstances
He closed with this word of wisdom, startling in its simplicity – “Start only when these three agree.”
Your way is in the sea; and Your path is in the great waters; and Your footsteps are not known.
Psalms 77:19 LITV
Perhaps you find yourself relating with the above desire to come into alignment with God’s will for your future or your current life circumstances. Some life coaching or processing of the life maps are immediate, tangible ways to explore and build confidence in coming into alignment with God’s will.
To start a conversation together, I’m just a contact away.
~ Nancy
*Impel – to cause (someone) to feel a strong need or desire to do something. (Merriam-Webster)
Leave a Reply