Discerning God's Will

When I look back at the past year and think about where the Lord has led my family I am amazed. A year ago I would have never thought we would be considering serving as missionaries in Honduras. It just wasn't in the "cross hairs" so-to-speak. I recall now, however, looking back and remembering circumstances and those heavy feelings I get when I know the Spirit of the Lord is trying to tell me something. It is awesome, truly awe-some, to know the voice of God whether that be in a whisper, shout, prayer, thought, person, the Word, or in any other form. Understanding when the Lord is leading and prodding is the greatest satisfaction that I have because of my desire to serve Him fully. I don't want to follow my own ways or do something that I feel might make more sense. I have experienced that lie and self-centered thought and know God has greater plans (Jer. 29:11).

The main purpose for this post is to act as an encouragement (hopefully) and a reminder to myself and Kirsten. We had our sights set on India, serving with another couple and doing certain things, that we thought was God's will for us. But in hindsight, we were blinded by comfort. India comfortable? Well, yes and no depending on your perspective. India is by far the most uncomfortable place I have ever been, physically, emotionally, spiritually - in every way. We were ready to go there and do the Lord's work. Comfortable in that we were leaning on our own understanding and other people, not completely on the Lord. But the Lord knows us SO much more than we know ourselves. He had been crossing our paths for some time with Latin America and specifically Honduras. He was preparing our hearts in more ways than we could have imagined and is still doing so.

The Lord has been teaching me that to understand His perfect will, we need to be able to "hear" His "voice." Doing this is different for every person. But in most cases, the Lord uses the same methods with each person so we begin to see a pattern. Being in the Word daily, praying constantly, studying the Bible, and seeking Him earnestly is all part of this.

Just this morning I was reading in Acts 16 about Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke and how they were headed to Macedonia, yet they didn't realize this was where the Lord was leading them in the beginning of their journey. They attempted to go to Asia, but the Holy Spirit had told them not to. They then attempted to go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go. Luke (the author of Acts) does not go into detail about why they could not go to these places, just that the Holy Spirit would not let them. That night Paul had a vision (or dream most likely) about a man in Macedonia who was pleading with Paul to come there and help them. In verse 10 it says they decided to leave for Macedonia at once.

We can relate to this as we have been to Asia and Bithynia (hypothetically) and the Lord has told us we are not to go there. This is not out of fear for the unknown, but of the known - fear of the Lord. We both want to do what God is CALLING us to, not because it sounds good or it is logical in our limited vision. We have heard God's voice in so many ways (by prayer, through people, by His Word, through other writings) and are confident we are being called to Honduras. Doors are opening as we step through them in faith and trust our future to the One who has already mapped it out. Praise Him!