3 Ways You Can Discern What God’s Will is for Your Life

The questions that everyone in the world has asked at one time or another are these: Why am I here? Why was I born? What is my purpose? Everyone wants to know that their life isn’t random and meaningless, and that something they’ve done will be remembered after they’re gone. Knowing God’s will is how believers navigate their lives, but how can you discern the will of the Lord?

How is God’s Will Revealed?

God’s will is revealed in His Word. God’s Word is the primary source where all believers must go to seek God’s will, to find the next steps in God’s plan, and to obtain wisdom and understanding to follow that plan. 

It is a common mistake to look everywhere for signs or wait for God to send a “sign” or to cling to a prophecy given by another person instead of filtering your life through God’s Word. You’ll risk shipwrecking your faith if you are not anchored to the Rock!

God’s Word is the primary source where all believers must go to seek God’s will, to find the next steps in God’s plan, and to obtain wisdom and understanding to follow that plan. 

~Alicia Purdy

The revealed will of God is not an impossible mystery. The Christian life sometimes overcomplicates God’s perfect will and many stumble on it because of the fear of doing the “wrong thing”. Have you ever done that?

While prophecies and even signs do have a time and place (in God’s timing and at God’s discretion), they are exceptions, not the “rule” because the primary source of God’s revealed will is the Bible. 

Many times believers become “stuck” in life when their expectations for how things should go in their lives are unmet and unfilled. In those times, it is easy to blame God and accuse Him, yet the reality is, God fulfills His plans and He works things out in life “for the good of those” who live according to His will. (Romans 8:28)

Remember: It is always better to seek the Lord in His Word and, though the revelation of His Holy Spirit, discern what He is going to do, than to tell Him your plan and expect Him to bless it.

What is God’s Plan? A Purpose-Filled Life of Praise

What most of the world doesn’t understand is that all of humanity was created to worship the Lord. According to Isaiah 43:21, “This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.” (NKJV) You were made to worship the Lord.

Of course, not every person chooses to fulfill that calling, but, ultimately, if you are not worshipping the Lord, you are – intentionally or unintentionally – worshipping someone or something else.

It is always better to seek the Lord in His Word and, though the revelation of His Holy Spirit, discern what He is going to do, than to tell Him your plan and expect Him to bless it.

~Alicia Purdy

All human beings were created for a relationship with God and praise and worship are how intimacy is built in that dynamic, spiritual relationship.

At the true core of God’s ultimate plan is PRAISE. Remember, you were created to praise the Lord. Worship is your true purpose and calling. 

Underneath it all, God’s love draws you toward Himself through Jesus Christ and away from the pattern of this world into eternal life with Him and the starting point for an eternal, spiritual intimacy with the Lord is praise. 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you…” (I Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV)

Gratitude is the point of origin for all praise. You cannot truly praise and worship the Lord if you are not grateful to Him for who He is. You have multiple, personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness to you and in hard times, gratitude will bring into His presence, protect you there, and keep your spirit strong in faith.

How Can You Discern God’s Call on Your Life?

Every life has a purpose – to worship the Lord – and a Kingdom calling from God, although not every life chooses to walk in that purpose or calling. Even so, every person’s calling remains as Paul noted in Romans 11:29 when he said, “…For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” 

Being created to worship is between you and God, but what about life between you and the rest of the world? You were created with a spiritual and a natural purpose. 

What are you called by God to do during your time on earth?  Have you ever asked that very important question? Remember, you need God’s guidance before you seek anyone else’s and God has an answer for you!

You were created with a spiritual and a natural purpose. 

~Alicia Purdy~

Finding what God’s will is for your life isn’t about what you do in your life in the natural, fallen world. God doesn’t care if you go into the ministry. God doesn’t care if you are a missionary or a construction worker. God doesn’t care if you speak well, or are tone deaf. God doesn’t care about the color of your skin or your cultural traditions or all the baggage you carry from your life’s journey.

The Christian life is not about good works, nor memorizing Bible verses, or keeping all 633 of God’s laws in the Old Testament laws or anything “natural” you can do. God’s will for your life is to praise Him, but His calling on your life is about what you do in the Spirit – and it is never too late with your Heavenly Father! 

Jesus said:

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NLT)

Too many believers fret about the right thing and the wrong choice and the perfect will of God and missing God when in reality the good news is that if you are walking in relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word, praise in His presence, and communing with Him in prayer, the supernatural output from your spirit into the natural life you live through the renewing of your mind and the big decisions you make  – and even the small ones – will reflect God’s desire and God’s character. 

The Apostle Peter wrote, “Therefore, brothers, diligently make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10-11, MEV)

As a worshipper of the Most High God, you are a living sacrifice before Him and through the supernatural time you spend in His presence, your life will naturally reflect God’s spiritual calling for your life – to use you as a necessary, effective ambassador of His salvation and agent of His love to the lost and dying world!

“…through the supernatural time you spend in His presence, your life will naturally reflect God’s spiritual calling for your life…”

~Alicia Purdy

God will always need you, even if it is on the last day of your life, it’s never too late to be effective God’s Kingdom! 

Look at the thief on the cross. (Luke 29:39-43) On the final day of his life, in his final moments, with his dying breath – his final words still speak today!

Learn more about the 7 Hebrew Words for Praise and how each one helps create strength, intimacy, and fresh revelation as you understand more about God’s plan for praise in your life!

​3 Callings of God Upon Your Life

Sometimes people over-complicate things and search for deeper meanings and purposes when, really, God has something simple, easy to understand and the right fit for your life. Jesus said it simply: “For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of My Father who sent Me.” (John 6:38, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, beloved brothers of the Lord, because God has from the beginning called you to salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief of the truth. To this He called you by our gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Based on Paul’s instruction, here is a simple way to break down God’s will and calling on your life:

1. You are called to “salvation through sanctification by the Spirit “.

Your calling to walk with Holy Spirit – As you walk through the journey of sanctification – the process by which the natural man is continually put to death and the spiritual man is continually raised to life through the development of your relationship with Christ, your natural desire to share this glorious experience will grow as well. 

You don’t have to be afraid that God will call you to a life of poverty on the mission field, just worry about staying close to the Holy Spirit who will sanctify your mind and heart. Soon, your dreams will reflect the desires of His heart and the rest will fall into place.

2. You are called to the “belief of the truth”.

God’s plan is revealed in the Word of God – You are called to know Jesus Christ by knowing His Word. “Let the Word of God dwell in you richly,” Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16. And “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” Paul advised Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15) 

Why? Because…

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

You don’t have to have a pulpit ministry to be an able minister of the Gospel. Jesus Christ partners with His own Word that comes out of your mouth through the inspiration of His Holy Spirit. You are called to know Him through His Word -and to make Him know. Let Him take care of the rest!

3. You are called to “obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

Worship is your true calling from God – You are called to “obtain the glory of Christ”, that is, to worship Him. You were created to worship, which is a heavenly assignment and you are called to worship, which is part of your earthly assignment.

God doesn’t need your worship. If He did, He could demand and command it, but He has never done that. He wants it. Why? To be close to you! 

He made you to have communion and relationship with you and worship keeps that alive! Being close to God isn’t for His benefit, it is for yours. Worship is completely God-centered and you are called to live a life with your eyes fixed on Him.

Without worship, “life” is a lot harder to live. If you want to experience the “more” of it all, worship more!

The things that God has called you to do on this earth seem so simple and yet the many, many possibilities and good things that exist within them actually feel very complex and expansive. You have the free will to choose your path in life, and when your relationship with the Lord is strong, you will naturally reflect that spiritual foundation.

The first step to any decisions should be the seek the Lord in His Word, daily, until you have a sense of direction – even a tiny one. The next step is to move in faith toward what you feel 

Yet, the entire world and all of their potentials are encompassed in the three callings from God and every, single person is a needed part of the plan in His Kingdom. 

You have the free will to choose your path in life, and when your relationship with the Lord is strong, you will naturally reflect that spiritual foundation.

~Alicia Purdy

Once you deny yourself and submit your life to Jesus Christ, you are a chosen child of God and elect through Jesus Christ. The simple answer is that your created purpose is to worship the Lord because worship creates an intimacy between you and Him, and that intimacy is the foundation that will support everything else including whatever it is you build as you pursue Him.

The point is this: God has a perfect plan for you, but you should never be afraid that you missed out on His perfect will.

• God is bigger than your mistakes!
• He can redirect your missteps!
• He works “all things” – the good, the bad, and the foolish – together for “the good of those who walk according to His purpose”. (Romans 8:28).

If you are following your true calling from God – to know Him and to make Him known – then you don’t have to worry about “missing” God in your life. The natural outcome of trusting the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding and in all your ways following Him is that He will direct your path.

Thought for Today: You Didn’t Miss God and His Plan for Your Life Still Stands!

There are many ways in which God could use you in this world to glorify His name, so don’t limit yourself or fret about missing Him. God’s children are all known to Him and it is your knowledge of God that will strengthen your faith in Him as you take the steps of faith in your life and God’s revealed will unfolds over time. 

Did Sarah “miss” God’s “perfect” will when she compelled Hagar and Abraham to have a child together so she could force the manifestation of God’s promise to give Abraham the promised “many nations” and the eternal inheritance through his son? Absolutely.

How? Because she doubted that God could and would do what He had promised, and then, in her doubt she took action. 

Sarah only knew God through Abraham’s faith, so when hard times came – she wavered and stumbled in her faith. Even then – God still showed Himself faithful!

Some people mistake God’s “sovereign control” and mistakenly blame God for everything – even their own bad decisions.

It’s a misunderstanding of God’s character to think that you are nothing more than a robot under His control when, in reality the Bible is extremely clear with multiple examples and accounts showing that you have the free will to choose to His way and to “seek first” His kingdom- or not. 

Remember, you’ll never be perfect.

• You are being “changed from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) and it is only through fulfilling your true calling to exist close to Christ in His presence that your fleshly desires will change to reflect Christ more and more.
• A spirit-filled life is built through a commitment to a relationship with Christ – a living, vital, and intimate one – through praise, prayer and the power of God’s Word. 

Scripturally speaking, you have very few “callings” from God and they all have to do with your relationship with Him. Scripturally speaking, there is only one plan – the plan of salvation for the lost.

The Apostle Paul wrote that you must, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12, MEV)

God has made you uniquely and His calling on your life will be unique to you as well – wherever He leads you and you choose to go. Go in faith! You are called to walk close to the Holy Spirit of God, the Word of God and the worship of God. That is how you, “…make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10) 

In the Christian life, so many get caught up in jobs and busy lives, activities, interests and relationships and even the ministry or church things that they then fret about if what they are doing is what God has “called” them to! If you stick to the TRUE spiritual callings He has given you, God will bring the many other natural callings to you and then through you from the solid ground of faith upon which you stand!