By Dave Coe
Master Facilitator
In December 1968 Frank Sinatra recorded the immensely popular song “My Way.”
Part of the lyrics in the song are, “I planned each chartered course, each careful step along the byway, oh, and more, much more than this, I did it my way.”
Popular song? Yes. Good advice? Not so much.
I have discovered -- the hard way -- that charting my way is not what our Lord called me to.
Why? Because Jesus taught us to pray: “… Your Kingdom come, Your will (emphasis mine) be done on earth as it is in heaven.“
My way or His?
My pride got in my way doing my own thing for too long. I am learning His way, that His will is not only good, but the best way to go “on earth…,”
Each of us makes about 150 decisions daily. Some are obvious, others require time, prayer and discernment.
How can we know God’s will for us? Here are eight suggestions to help you discover His will.
- Surrender daily to Him. Consult with your best friend, Jesus, keeping in mind that he Loves you better than you love yourself. He is not out to “get you.”
- Forgive those who hurt you.
- Ask and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you, to teach you his way daily -- even moment by moment.
- Read scripture and pray daily. Set aside a private, quiet time and place to be with Jesus, away from the noise and distractions of this world.
- Keep a spiritual journal, write down what you hear in prayer.
- Watch out for your blind spots, seek Godly wisdom and advice. Ask questions of a trusted Christ-centered friend or spouse.
- Find a qualified spiritual director, a priest, pastor or lay person trained in giving Christ-centered spiritual direction who will help you along the way.
- Trust our Lord to act, watching for circumstances, trusting in him to do what is best for you. It will bubble up in importance because you are seeking his will.
When you hear and know his will for you, be aware that it may not always be easy or make perfect common sense. Remember the advice our Blessed Mother Mary gave the servants at the Cana Wedding: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:6).
Remember: Fear of the consequences of doing his will is not his will.
Scriptures to meditate on:
- Proverbs 3: 5-6
- Psalm 32:8
- Psalm 119:15
- Proverbs 11:14
- Matthew 7:7-8
- John 14:16
- John 15:5
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- 2 Timothy 1:7
- James 1: 2-8
Recommended Reading
How to make Great Decisions by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Ascension Press.
May I pray for you, Need Prayer? Contact Dave at ambassadordhc@gmail.com