missio

This is a tough topic to write about, simply because I believe in the complete sovereignty of God (sidenote:
you may say you do, but may not, be careful here ). I don’t believe we have much of a choice (read: no choice whatsoever) in matters related to the plan of God, but it’s still a topic to be addressed. Here’s some common excuses we have for ignoring/avoiding/delaying God’s will for our lives. Our dreams, visions, etc. can often be lumped into the category, because a perfectly sovereign God has placed them in you. Enough sovereignty stuff, here we go with the three excuses:

• God hasn’t spoken to me directly. This dangerous excuse has many forms, including: “I’m listening for His voice”, “I’m waiting on Him”, or the ever popular “I’m praying about it”. While the revealing of God’s will is paramount, we so often use this as an “out” to the dream He has for us. If He told us everything about His day-to-day will through Scripture and prayer, what room would there be for faith? Paul, in Acts 16:6-8 tries to go into three different areas to spread the Gospel. He knows that there is a plan for his ministry, but he doesn’t wait around: he acts. The Spirit guides him, and then the dream is made clear to Paul in what we know as the Macedonian call. The point here? Paul realized that inaction is dangerous to the Gospel. Dreams, as long as they fit within scripture as is, do not need to be detailed by God Himself from the very beginning: they are often revealed as you’re walking in the wrong direction.

• I don’t have _____. This is another very dangerous excuse. Fill in the blank with whatever you like: time, resources, people, etc. There are countless examples, both Scriptural and modern, of times when God’s providence has triumphed over the lack of something. It’s often said, and is so very true, that God will provide a way for His will.

• I have _____. This is the flip side of the above. It can be anything from an existing job to a family to feed to some other perceived obligation. Again, God will provide a way for His will.

There you have it. These are the three main excuses for running from God’s will for your life, your dreams, whatever you want to call it. There is only one legitimate excuse for running from God’s will for your life: it’s not His will for your life. And He’ll let you know when you’re traveling in the wrong direction, just as He did Paul.