Thy will be done...How could four words in scripture and in the most well known and recited prayer throughout the world and history pack such a huge punch! These four simple words contain great complexity, searching, and questioning. They involve listening, quieting ourselves and being open to the direction of God in our lives.
For many of us we might want a sign or some kind of clear indication. If it was as easy as a knock on the door and God showed up at our home and told us, "I want you to do this..." Would that be nice and give us clarity, perhaps. However, that would not make the great commission and what the Lord calls us to easier. Discernment is a vital process in our faith development and our growth in an on-going relationship with Jesus and the Father. By contemplating, praying, thinking, and searching we come to know who we are at the core and what God created us for. The Holy Spirit is that still small voice that we will hear whispering when we give the time and space needed in our busy lives to discern that call of Christ say, "Come and follow me."
So what does that mean for you and for me? How do we truly know what God created us for and what it is that He desires above all else that we do? If it were that simple or easy maybe we would already be doing it or perhaps maybe we do know and the answer is closer than we think. Throughout our lives God's call in terms of a vocation or the "what" and purpose for our lives might look different. Jobs are changed, careers, altered, but how we go about our work on a daily basis must remain the key and focal point. Our ultimate calling is to discipleship and sharing the love of Christ with others in all that we do and in whatever arena we do it in.
As time continues, one door closes and another opens. This all happens for a reason...God is leading us to the "next right thing" for our lives so that we can continue on our path to sainthood. The purpose of our lives truly is Heaven. We were made for ultimate communion and relationship with God for eternity. God wants us to happy and more than that joy filled here on this earth and forever with Him in paradise. So how can we get to this place and state of joy? We get there through the course of our lives. We get there through continuous relationship with Jesus, our best friend, with God our Father who wants the best for us, and by listening to the Holy Spirit which comes many forms to us with signs, wonders, messages, and in the stillness of prayer.
I encourage you to take some time and to prayerfully reflect upon your life. Happiness is fleeting and eventually it will ebb and flow, come and go. Deep seeded joy that comes through knowing your purpose and reason you are on this earth--discipleship and to become a saint for God's Kingdom is our call. How we reach that comes in a variety of ways, jobs, careers, places, and experiences. Think about what fills you up with that inner peace daily and makes you deeply joy filled. No matter what it is that God calls us to next, as long as we are open and ready to say "YES" to that call we will be filled with joy. When we die to self and align our will to God's will for us we can reach this state of grace and peace that leaves us with a joy only Jesus can fill. For the Lord said, "I came so that they might have life and have it to the full...I have told you these things so that my joy might be in you and your joy complete." (John 10:10, John 15:11).
It is evident we must make heartfelt and head smart decisions. Life keeps us on our toes and we have great responsibilities to take care of our families and try to provide a solid future. But I encourage you to listen to the Lord and seek what he is calling you to. Imagine him saying as He did to the first apostles, "Come follow me." When we say, "YES" and go with Him we will never be the same. Our lives might not be easy, and things might not allows be comfortable, but remember that "a ship at harbor is safe, but ships were made for sailing." Take a step out into the water even when it is rocky, for the Lord will help you and guide you. Your heart will be so filled with joy and this joy no one will be able to take from you. May the Lord direct your steps and path and may you have that trust in Him who wants what is best for each of us so we can build up the Kingdom one day and one person at a time. Amen.
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