It’s that time of year again. That time when we look back over the past year and think about the things we hoped to do or to be, and resolve ourselves to do and be more in the coming year. ‘Tis a noble thing to do, and I’m grateful for a formal calendar reminder once a year to stop and take stock of life.

As a Christian, I can never evaluate the past, or look far into the future, without invoking the “Will of God.” I find that this phrase comes up often in conversations regarding plans and preparations, natural disasters and global warming, and predestination or free will. As I too look back on 2007 with grins and regrets, and forward to 2008 with resolve and trepidation, I want to share some thoughts on the elusive will of God.

Thought #1: God’s Will always starts where you are. It’s impossible to find ourselves in a place where we cannot do the right thing. The attentive will notice that I’ve just equated the Will of God with the Right Thing. It’s true… one definition of the Will of God, is the Right Thing, for you see, the Will of God is always the right thing to do. James puts it this way, Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. It is impossible to sin while doing the Will of God, yet not doing the right thing is sin, thus doing the right thing and the Will of God run on very parallel tracks. The point here is that no matter what happened yesterday, it is possible for me to take the next right step and walk forward in the Will of God.

Thought #2: Do not confuse God’s goals with His sovereignty. It is a fairly orthodox position to view God as sovereign—having control over His creation. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing happens that is beyond His ability to influence or control. This however should not be confused with His desires regarding circumstances on Earth. Islamic extremists may have shouted in the name of Allah as they flew airplanes into U.S. buildings in 2001, but it was not the desire of Jehovah. How do I know this? Jehovah’s desires are not in conflict with His laws, and even the most religious atheist knows that Jehovah forbids murder. Does this mean that the Will of God was thwarted? Yes, but not His sovereignty.  This is the mystery embedded in the very nature of mankind. Sin occurs when a human exerts its will over the Will of Jehovah. If God’s Will were unimpeachable we would live in a very different creation. Needless to say, this article does not contain sufficient room to fully contain my thoughts along this point… Let me move on with this—God’s Will does not result in anything contrary to the character or nature of God.

Thought #3: God’s Will always comes to pass. This is in direct contradiction to the previous thought, but is not diminished because of this. God really is sovereign and on a bigger and higher sphere than I can understand He is working out His will on Earth. Tolkien described this idea in The Silmarilion as a master composer whose music was so deep, rich, and full that a malicious instrumentalist trying to play his own thing found that he was simply playing into the hands of the master. I cannot explain how Romans 8:28 which says that All things work together for God to those who love God and are called according to His purposes, but I believe it is true.

Thought #4: Be clear what you mean when you say God’s Will. The first three thoughts deliberately use God’s will in three different realms. One is small and personal—just me. The second is bigger, but still falls within the jurisdiction that God has given to man. The third is big, and speaks of God as the creator and ruler of His creation. It’s important to understand the jurisdiction in which we operate and that is under discussion!

A definitive discussion of God’s Will is far too big and divisive for a short blog post, but I want to leave you encouraged. You can live in God’s Will today; God is not wringing His hands up in heaven because people are trampling all over His will; and God is accomplishing His good purposes no matter what things look like around us!