InterVarsity Press

Conversations: My Way or God's Way?

Sheena:

I want so badly God's will in my life, and yet, at the same time, I want my way because I feel that that's the only way I am going to get what I really want. But people keep telling me that if I surrender then what God wants for me is what I'll want for me. Part of me doesn't care—I want what I want because i have such big dreams. I'm just so confused and ready to give up on everything. I have trouble giving in to Him—letting Him take control.

Ruth:

Your message is very difficult to answer because it is so subjective—and there is no right or easy answer. Basically, you're asking "What is the will of God for me," and "Do I really care?"

The Bible gives us many guidelines on God's will and how God wants us to act and behave. If nothing else, we should be reaching out and helping others. You may not know whether God wants you to put your sights on a particular profession or career, but you do know that God wants you to be a good person, to treat people kindly, and to sacrifice for those in need.

And, we know God does not want us to be self-absorbed. I suspect you are a bit too self-absorbed. I can spot it in a minute because I am also too self-absorbed—as are most people. You're talking about me, me, me. It's the way I talk too, so I'm not criticizing you any more than I'm criticizing myself, and I'm telling myself even as I write this to be thinking about and caring for other people more than I am now.

Hope this helps.