God’s Will – The Best Pathway

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

While Billy Graham was studying at the Florida Bible Institute, he led prayer meetings in various locations in the city. This led to him being invited to preach as an ordained minister at a local church. More speaking engagements followed. After graduating from Florida Bible College, he was urged by friends, Paul and Elner, to enrol at Wheaton College. He was worried that he would not be accepted because of his high school grades. But as it turned out, Paul’s brother was chairman of Wheaton’s Board of Trustees, and Elner’s brother was interim president of the College. God opened the door and he was accepted to study anthropology. During his time at Wheaton College, he met Ruth McCue Bell, whom he married after graduation. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position to pastor a small church in Western Springs, Illinois. His location in Illinois opened many doors. First, he was approached by Torrey Johnson to host a Christian radio program on Chicago’s largest radio station. Later, he was invited by Johnson to become the first full-time organiser for Youth for Christ. This opened the way for him to establish his calling as a global evangelist.

Humility & Obedience

Discovering God’s will or calling for our lives is most often a journey we embark on with Him. This journey starts with prayer. Prayer for God to direct us through His Holy Spirit along the pathway to His will. Along this pathway, God will place people whom He will use to point us to the doors that He has opened for us. To pray with us. To give us sound, godly advice. As we pray, God will give us revelation through His Holy Spirit concerning the steps we need to take. He may give a mature, trusted brother or sister in the Lord a specific word concerning our calling. Or He will place a sense or feeling on our hearts that we can’t shake off. Billy Graham in his autobiography, Just As I Am, said that he had a nagging feeling that he was called to preach the gospel. He said,

'No sign in the heavens. No voice from above. But in my spirit I knew I had been called to the ministry. And I knew my answer was yes.'

When we embark on this journey, the posture of our heart should be marked by humility as we acknowledge that God knows the best pathway for our lives. The attitude of our heart should be, just like Billy Graham’s, one of obedience and surrender to the call God has on our lives. Without obedience to the call of God, our journey will be futile.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

Reflection:

Are you struggling to know what God’s will or calling is? Will you be intentional about praying about it?

Prayer:

Lord, I want to know Your calling on my life. Guide me on the best pathway You have for me. Help me to have a humble heart so that I can be obedient to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.