School is out in Bryan County. Graduation ceremonies will be held today for both Bryan County and Richmond Hill high schools. For many young men and women, today marks the completion of one task, but it’s only the beginning of a brand-new phase of their lives. Excitement fills the air.
But at the same time, many – if they are honest with themselves – truly are frightened. After all, the time soon is coming for them to be on their own. Life never will be the same.
We all face these milestones. Whether it is graduation, marriage, the birth of a child, the death of a parent, a new job or any number of other events, we all face times when we must make serious decisions. We face those moments when we must choose a path that has the potential to alter our lives in many ways.
Just how do you make that kind of decision? How does one go about making the most significant decisions in life?
I have just finished, for about the sixth time, working through Henry Blackaby’s book, “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing God’s Will.” The subtitle of that book speaks of a subject that is on the minds of many people. We really do want to make wise choices. We really do want to find and do God’s will. But we struggle to understand how that can happen.
There is no one set of rules for you to follow to discern God’s will. There is no pattern that works for everyone.
But I am confident of this: Those who are in close fellowship with God will be those who best are able to know what he wants them to do. Those who talk to him often in prayer and those who read regularly from his written word, the Bible, will be able to discern his voice and direction for their lives.
When my wife calls me, I recognize her voice. I don’t have to ask who it is. The many years we have spoken to each other have made her voice easy for me to recognize. Can I recognize God’s voice that easily? Can you?
As you read the Bible and pray, you will grow closer to the Lord and you will be able to identify his voice. You will realize that God is the one speaking to you, and you then will have the choice to obey or not.
I encourage you to pick up God’s book and read it. I challenge you to set aside time to pray.
When you do these things, you will come to know the Lord in a more personal way. He will speak, and you will know his voice. Then you will be better able to know and do his will.