As Christians we may seek guidance to know God’s will for specifics in our lives. While that may be important, let’s also look at the bigger picture of where God wants to guide us:
in paths of righteousness (Ps. 23:3)
in His truth (Ps. 25:5)
in what is right (Ps. 25:9)
When led in the above directions, the particulars often fall into place.
God Leads Us in Paths of Righteousness and Truth Because of Who He Is
God’s ways are always right and best, higher than ours (Isa. 55:11), because He is righteous and true. It therefore only makes sense that we line up with Him and His ways. When we cooperate with Him, we can’t go wrong in life. When we fail to follow His ways, somehow thinking we know better, we’re heading down the path of destruction (Prov. 14:12). But, the Lord “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Ps. 25:8-10)
The best thing we can do to get guidance in the specifics of our lives is to seek God first. Get to know Him better. When we make Him the priority in our lives rather than our accomplishments, careers, or even ministry, everything else tends to make more sense. — “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33)
Why We Struggle to Accept Where God’s Guidance in the Specifics May Take Us
Sometimes we just need to head down the path of righteousness and truth and trust God for the rest. Think of Abram of the Old Testament. God told Him to leave His country and family for the unknown and God would bless him and all the peoples of the earth through him. Abram knew God enough to trust Him, so he “went, as the LORD had told him” (Gen. 12:1-4).
We may struggle to follow the paths of His righteousness and truth without some kind of sign, or tangible demonstration that something is of God. We do read of people in the Bible asking for a fleece and God responding. Yet, we can almost hear the disappointment in Jesus’ words, “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, … you will never believe.” (Jn. 4:48). How much better it is to believe without God having to prove Himself as seen in Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 20:29. — “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Perhaps our struggle, however, is more than insecurities, doubts, and fears. Maybe we fail to turn to Him first for guidance because we don’t want to take the higher road in certain situations. We somehow think we’d better off doing life our own way. We simply may not want to do what we think He’s going to ask of us. Or, we may have sin in our lives that we’re not ready to let go.
Maybe it’s time to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24).