Living God’s Word

Q

You say that as long as we submit to God’s will, all our needs will be met. How do we live this out in practice? Does it mean we are to give up on our dreams and ambitions? For example, recent financial hardship means that I need to look for work. Do I get out there and look for any job I can find or do I pray that God will provide one for me?

 

A

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.” Romans 12:1-2 says that if you offer your whole being as a living sacrifice to God, you’ll discover what His will is for you. Matt. 6:31-33 says if we focus on seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, He’ll meet all our needs.

Taken together it means that when you yield yourself fully to God He’ll place in your heart (cause you to want) the things He wants for you and then He’ll give them to you. As a result your life might very well be different from what you had planned, but it will be a dream come true for you. Remember, He wants you to have an abundant life (John 10:10).

Your current dreams and ambitions are based on your very limited and substantially distorted view of your capabilities and opportunities. The Lord on the other hand knows everything about you, so it’s no sacrifice to seek His will over your own. The happiest we can ever be is when we’re working where the Lord wants us and using the gifts He’s given us.

Concerning your job search, you should pray that the Lord will lead you to the job He wants you to take, and then you should go looking for it, trusting Him to show you where it is.