When The Bush Doesn’t Burn
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2
Every day, my bible app gives me a daily verse that graces the top of my screen. Today's verse, the one right up there, managed to catch my eye.
Lately, I've been in deep thoughts about a topic that's as vast and daunting as the universe itself: How does one discern God’s will for their life? Like many of my fellow mid-twenties friends, I've found myself in the midst of a quarter-life crisis- which has provided many mornings waking up to a head full of anxieties and questions about the gaping chasm between my expectations of life and my reality.
God's will often feels like an intricate puzzle. When we say, "Thy will be done," in our prayers, it can sound more like a well-worn phrase than a heartfelt plea. Why is this? I believe it’s because when many of us invoke God's will, we're not entirely sure what we're signing up for. We have dreams, hopes, and expectations, and we yearn for God's will to align with them. And more than often, interpreting God's will can sometimes feel as nebulous and uncertain as the will itself.
Am I Supposed to Light My Own Bush on Fire?
When life throws monumental decisions our way, we secretly hope that if we're obedient enough, maybe a burning bush will ignite nearby, and the Lord's will will become as clear as day. Imagine the comfort of strolling into life's pivotal moments with complete peace and certainty. Why don't we all get a burning bush moment whenever a major life decision pops up?
As challenging and weighty as decision-making can be, i’m learning that the process of decision making can serve as a deeper means to engaging with God. Romans 12:2 nudges us to keep our focus on Him. Without awareness of His presence, discerning His guidance is like trying to buy a gift for someone you’ve never met.
It would be dangerous to believe that God has only one right choice for our lives, and if we veer off that path, it's game over. God is more creative than that, and He’s certainly more sovereign that that. He's not merely a GPS; He's the cosmic choreographer who can twirl us in a new direction at any moment.
Yet, I know and have experienced that the idea of countless possible paths can feel overwhelming. We all secretly yearn for our own personal burning bush moment. However, I take comfort in knowing that while there may be more than one right choice, there's only one God worth trusting. When we fixate on His presence and the rhythm of His spirit, we can make decisions with the incomplete information we are often given, in confidence that God is trustworthy and dependable. At its core, decision-making is an exercise in trust, surrender, and faith.
Time to Take off Your Sandals
But how do we transform our minds to God's will and embrace His best for us? Our attention is our most valuable asset. How often do we instinctively reach for our phones in moments of discomfort or pain? How frequently do we start sketching out our plans before even thinking of consulting the Creator of the world?
When I began to ask myself these questions, I discovered how disturbingly distracted I had become in my daily life. Partly unintentional and partly as a way to numb my emotional pain.
A few weeks ago, I summoned the courage to bid farewell to social media, dial down my TV consumption, and let go of music that didn't nourish my spirit. By stripping away these distractions, I found myself forced to engage with the pain in my life, knowing that for the Lord to lead me out of it, I must first encounter Him in it.
Closing Thoughts
The world is continually bursting with the awe of God; the real question isn't whether He's at work but whether we're tuned in. By eliminating simple distractions, I've experienced the presence and word of God taking on a new and tangible form of life.
We can navigate life's twists and turns, one decision at a time, enjoying the divine dance that is His presence and uncovering His will in the process.
