Seeking His Will Before Our Plans
We're quick to make plans and ask God to bless them. But what if He wants us to seek His plans first?
I once spent three months building something I was sure was the right move. The plan was solid, the execution flawless. But when it was done, it bore little fruit.
Looking back, I realize I never really asked God if this was what He wanted. I assumed it was good, so it must be His will. I made my plans and asked Him to bless them, instead of seeking His plans from the start.
Two Approaches
There are two ways to approach our work:
Our plans + God's blessing: We decide what to do, make our plans, and ask God to make them succeed. This seems spiritual. We're involving God, after all. But we're still driving.
God's will + our obedience: We seek His will first, wait for His direction, and then move in obedience. This requires patience. It means some of our "good ideas" might not happen. But what does happen bears fruit that lasts.
Why It Matters
When we seek His will before our plans:
We avoid wasted effort: Not every good idea is God's idea for us right now. Seeking His will helps us focus on what He's actually calling us to do.
We work with confidence: When you know God has directed you, you can press through difficulties without second-guessing. You're not wondering if you should be doing something else.
We see His fruit: Work that flows from His will bears fruit that lasts. There's a grace on it that you can't manufacture through hard work alone.
We grow in relationship with Him: Seeking His will isn't just about getting direction—it's about walking with Him, learning to hear His voice, depending on Him.
How to Seek
Seeking God's will isn't complicated, but it requires patience:
Wait before deciding: When you have an idea or opportunity, resist the urge to immediately commit. Bring it to God first. Wait for His peace or His check in your spirit.
Listen to His peace: God often guides us through His peace. If you have constant anxiety about a decision, that might be Him saying "not this" or "not yet."
Test it with Scripture and wise counsel: God's will never contradicts His Word. And He often speaks through mature believers who know you and know Him.
Be willing to let go: Sometimes seeking God's will means releasing our own plans. This is hard. But it's the path to fruitfulness.
The Result
When you make seeking His will your first priority, your work changes. You're not striving to make things happen. You're following where He leads.
Some opportunities you thought were perfect, you'll pass on. Some directions you never considered, you'll pursue.
And you'll find that the work He directs bears fruit beyond what you could have planned yourself.
Before you make your next plan, pause. Seek His will. Wait for His direction.
The plans will always be there. But only His will leads to life.