3 Steps to Seeking God’s Will

I like riddles. Brain-stretching word puzzles. So here are the top five Laugh Again riddles of the month (answers are at the bottom of this page!):

1. 1. What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it? The answer?
   2. What are two things you can’t eat for breakfast?
   3. Ten ladies tried to fit under a tiny umbrella, none of them got wet. How is that possible?
   4. What rock group has four famous men, but they can’t sing?
   5. Which word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

You know, when I was a young dude I thought God’s will for me was an unsolvable riddle, an impossible brainteaser. Would I live in Hawaii or the North Pole? Would I be single or marry Thelma, who had been squealing on me since grade six? Would I be a butcher, a baker, a candlestick maker, or preach the gospel to cannibals in the Congo who were concerned about how thin I was and would try to fatten me up?

I found myself worried and confused when it came to discerning God’s will. I think we overcomplicate things. God’s will is not some straight well-lit road without potholes leading to an earthly destination where all will be well and our teeth straight. It’s more of a journey where we discover God, and follow Him amid the messes and challenges of life.

A man and his wife were out walking in London, England, when the husband had the good sense to admit, “We’re lost.” His amazed wife asked a young boy, “How can we get to the Paddington Hotel?” The boy answered, “Turn right there by the grocer’s shop, then take the second street to the left. That will bring you to a place where four streets meet. And then…ask someone again!” Well, here are the steps we should take when seeking God’s will:

1. Trust.
   In John 6:40, Jesus said “it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life” (NLT). It is God’s will that you believe and be saved. Then trust that He has your best in mind. Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (NLT). Trust that in obeying Him, joy will come. 1 Peter 2 says, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (ESV). There’s no riddle here. “Turn from evil and do good” (Psalm 34:14a, NIV). Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (NKJV).
2. Read.
   I tried assembling an Ikea cabinet without instructions. It didn’t go well. God has provided a life manual: The Bible. Billions have met Jesus there and been transformed. Its message is of redemption, freedom, and purpose. “Your word,” says Psalm 119:105, “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (ESV). In a noisy and dark world, God speaks through His word, giving light and direction.
3. Listen.
   Listen to the Holy Spirit. Talk to God in prayer. And listen to wise counsel from godly people. We learn His plan for us by spending time with Him, in prayer and in the Bible, and spending time with those who love Him. God will lead us through this day. And as Jesus said, “Tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34b, NIV).

Trust, read, and listen. And speaking of reading, here’s one last riddle: What building in the world has the most stories? The library!

Riddle answers:

1. 1. The word Short. Get it? You add the letters “e” and “r” to short and it’s shorter!
2. Lunch and dinner. It’s true!
3. It wasn’t raining!
4. Mount Rushmore.
5. The word incorrectly. Yes, incorrectly is spelled “incorrectly” each and every time!