Editor’s Note: The will of God. It’s a big issue for the disciple. In this great article by our friend, Ron Edmondson, there are some practical thoughts on discovering God’s will. As we ask at Eagles In Leadership, “Are you praying God-sized prayers?” Ron has some great insights into that thought.
And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6
We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 2 Chronicles 20:12
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27
God calls people to seemingly impossible tasks. It gives Him glory when I can’t do something, but He can. I can do “all things through Christ who strengthens me,” but often what He calls me to do can seem foolish to attempt (at least to others—and sometimes me) at the time. Imagine what the friends of Abraham, Moses and Noah must have thought when God called them to what appeared to be impossible assignments. God calls people to walk by faith into the unknown.
If you know God has called you to something, don’t be dismayed if others can’t quickly identify with your calling. In my experience, God is often raising up others with the same heartbeat, but you can’t always see them at the time, so there may be periods when you have to stand alone on God’s calling. That may be for a season, but at times it could be for years. (Consider the case of Noah.)
With that in mind, what are some indicators what you are experiencing might just be of God.
Here are seven ways to tell it may be a God thing:
- Everyone says it can’t be done. There’s no way. It’s never been done before.
- You feel you aren’t qualified. You don’t have what it takes. You’re scared. Overwhelmed. Under-prepared.
- There aren’t enough resources available. Not enough money. Not enough people. (Or so it seems.) You don’t have the building, or the location, or the perfectly mapped-out strategy.
- It makes no rational sense. Seriously, who in their right mind would do this?
- People are questioning your intelligence. Or asking if you are “sure you know what you are doing.”
- Accomplishing it would give God all the glory. There would be no other explanation.
- It honors God and is true to His Word.
I’m not saying this post confirms what you are attempting is from God. It might. It might not.
What I am saying is that you should not dismiss the call you believe God has placed on your life because it doesn’t make sense to others around you—or to yourself at times. God things seldom do. Read a few Bible stories if you need some inspiration—or confirmation of what I’m saying.
Are you in the midst of a God-calling?
Has God called you to things which made no sense at the time?
What would you add to my list?
You can read the original article here.
Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. Ron has over 20 years business experience, mostly as a self-employed business owner, and he’s been helping church grow vocationally for over 10 years.
More from Ron Edmondson or visit Ron at http://www.ronedmondson.com/
