“And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.” – Numbers 9:17
Most sincere followers of Jesus wish that God still led His people in a manner this clear and obvious. If only He’d visibly show us when and where to go and when and where to stop and settle in. In our yearning for this crystal clarity, we often miss God’s leading altogether. We get stuck where we’re comfortable rather than going where God calls us. Where is God leading you? What is He calling you to do?
In a general sense, God’s will for you is extremely clear as a follower of Jesus. He’s laid it out in the Bible. Love God with every bit of your being. Love your neighbors (ALL of them) the way you love yourself. Make disciples. Seek to live a holy life. Take up your cross, denying yourself to follow Jesus every single day. Obey Jesus and share Jesus in the character of Jesus. All of this is critically important! But have you devoted the time needed to discern what that specifically looks like for you?
How has God gifted you for making disciples? Is there a particular group, age, or stage to which you’re called? What does that disciple-making look like? What does sacrificially loving YOUR neighbors look like? What is the most impactful way for you to do that? What is the next step of obedience that God’s Spirit is prompting you to take? What is the next aspect of your life God wants to renovate for greater holiness?
Have you been asking God these questions? Are you listening for answers as you read Scripture? Are you intentionally trying out different ways of serving and ministering to discern where God might be calling you to pour out your life for His glory? Are you discussing God’s direction and next steps with wise, mature Christian friends? If you haven’t been doing these kinds of things, get started! Make time to pray and meditate. Try different ways of serving and sharing. Discuss what others see in you and really listen to what they say. Meditate on how God has gifted you and where He is stirring your heart. Then take that next step. Follow God’s lead. As you do, it will get easier to discern the step after that one. #FollowJesus