What does it mean practically and spiritually to “lay down my will for God’s”? I’m struggling to understand how to differentiate between my own desires, ambitions, and instincts, and what God actually wants for me. Is it about suppressing my own personality and preferences? Does it mean abandoning all my goals and dreams? How can I discern God’s will in concrete situations, especially when it clashes with what I believe will make me happy or successful? And if I perceive conflict, is there a way to align my will with God’s without feeling resentful or like I’m sacrificing my authentic self? Can you give me some examples of what this might look like in everyday life, and in big life decisions like career choices, relationships, or major purchases?
Answer
Laying down your will for God’s involves a conscious and ongoing decision to align your desires, plans, and ambitions with what you believe is God’s purpose and direction for your life. It’s a multifaceted concept encompassing surrender, trust, obedience, and discernment.
Surrender: This is the foundational element. It means relinquishing control and acknowledging that God’s wisdom and understanding surpass your own. It’s admitting you don’t have all the answers and that your own plans might not be the best course. Surrender doesn’t imply passivity but rather a willingness to let go of your grip on how you think things should be and accept how God is leading.
Trust: Laying down your will requires deep trust in God’s character, promises, and intentions. It’s believing that even when you don’t understand the circumstances or the path ahead, God is working for your ultimate good and has your best interests at heart. This trust is built through experiences of faithfulness, prayer, and studying scripture.
Obedience: Once you believe you understand God’s will, whether through scripture, prayer, wise counsel, or providential circumstances, obedience is the active expression of laying down your will. It means taking action, even when it’s difficult or goes against your natural inclinations. Obedience isn’t blind adherence to rules but a responsive action stemming from a heart devoted to God.
Discernment: Discerning God’s will isn’t always straightforward. It requires a process of seeking guidance through prayer, studying scripture, seeking counsel from trusted mentors, and paying attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It also involves examining your motives and ensuring they align with God’s character and principles. Discerning God’s will is not a passive process, but an active seeking that involves using the wisdom and discernment God has given you.
Implications:
- Shifting Priorities: Laying down your will often means re-evaluating your priorities. Material possessions, career ambitions, and personal comfort may become less important as you seek to align your life with God’s purposes.
- Acceptance of Suffering: God’s will doesn’t always equate to ease or comfort. It may involve trials, hardships, and suffering. Laying down your will means accepting these challenges as opportunities for growth, trust, and deeper reliance on God.
- Increased Sensitivity to God’s Voice: As you practice surrendering your will, you become more attuned to God’s promptings and guidance. You develop a deeper sense of His presence and direction in your life.
- Freedom from Anxiety: Trusting in God’s will can bring a sense of peace and freedom from anxiety. Knowing that you are not solely responsible for the outcome of your life allows you to release worry and embrace the present moment.
- Living with Purpose: Laying down your will and living in accordance with God’s purposes gives life meaning and direction. You find fulfillment in serving others and contributing to something larger than yourself.
In essence, laying down your will for God’s is a transformative process that shapes your desires, actions, and ultimately, your destiny. It’s a continuous journey of surrender, trust, obedience, and discernment, leading to a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment in alignment with God’s plan.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before you today, humbled by the immensity of your love and the power of your wisdom. I find myself grappling with the question that echoes in my heart: what does it truly mean to lay down my will for yours?
I confess that I often cling to my own desires, my own plans, my own understanding of what I believe is best. I hold onto control, fearing the unknown and doubting the path you have laid out for me. Forgive me for the times I have prioritized my own agenda over your divine purpose.
Help me to understand, Lord, that laying down my will is not about surrendering my identity, but rather about surrendering my ego. It is not about becoming a puppet, but about becoming a willing vessel for your grace. Show me that true freedom is found not in clinging to my own limited vision, but in trusting the boundless possibilities that unfold when I align myself with your perfect will.
Teach me to discern your voice amidst the noise of the world. Grant me the courage to release my attachments to my own expectations and the strength to embrace the uncertainties that come with walking in faith. Help me to trust that even when I cannot see the full picture, you are guiding me towards a purpose greater than I could ever imagine.
Let your will be done, Lord, in my life, in my relationships, in my work, in all that I do. May my life be a testament to your love and a reflection of your glory.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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