What is the will of God, and how do I find it? Is this subject more difficult or straightforward for our understanding? The simpler, the better. I know for many of us growing up in the church, we repeatedly heard about being found in God’s perfect (not permissive), will. Seeking to learn and discover God’s will for our lives became far more debilitating than motivating for most.
God forbid we would do something not in God’s “perfect” will for our lives, right? This confusion made dating relationships even more complicated back in the day, than they already were naturally. So many believers found themselves stuck in this thinking. Some are still there today. If they moved forward and were wrong about God’s plan, they would somehow disappoint the almighty God and wreck their lives. God, after all, “Has a wonderful plan for your life, so don’t mess it up.”
God’s will, in a basic sense, is His plan and purpose, as described in the Bible, for all creation. So, to know God’s will is to know and apply His Word. This is a good place to start. The general concept of knowing God’s plan takes us back to our studies in Genesis Theology. We are made in His image (Imago Dei), to partner with Him in His creation to build communities full of love, joy, peace, generosity, and worship. (Genesis 1:26-28) It is God’s will that we work for the kingdom of God. Work is the gracious expression of YHWH’s creative energy in service of others to create Shalom [Peace]. Our God-given ability to work is our amazing capacity and awesome responsibility to make visible the invisible attributes of the Creator and Redeemer to His creation. God’s will is in communities who seek to be loyal to God, bound together in the common unity of the Spirit. (cf. Ephesians 4:1ff) Work is the will of God for us.
What we do for a living, where we live, who we marry, and how many kids we have is up to us. So long as it is not sin, God has not given a divine revelation to the contrary. For example, Moses and the burning bush. (Oh, those will always be conformable and in agreement with God’s Word.) So, do what makes you happy, and use your God-given talents to create a community of love and peace.