God's will is a subject that has intrigued and captivated millions of brothers and sisters throughout history. What is God's will for each of us? How can we know and follow his will in our daily lives?
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
The path to understanding the divine will need not be an inscrutable mystery. In fact, God desires His children to know Him better, to be worthy of His love and service, and to love Him with all their hearts. The key to understanding and following God's will lies in studying the life and teachings of Jesus, who not only spoke about God's will, but also put it into practice through his works and miracles.
In the Gospels, we find a wealth of teachings from Jesus about God's will. He showed us by his example how to live a life centered on love and service to God and our fellow human beings. His words and actions revealed God's loving and merciful nature, as well as his desire for his children to live in peace and harmony.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
One of Jesus' clearest teachings on God's will is found in the well-known passage from the Sermon on the Mount. In this discourse, Jesus offers the beatitudes, which are a guide to a life blessed by God. He tells us that those who are humble, merciful, peacemakers and righteous are blessed and will experience God's presence in their lives.
In addition, Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving God and loving one's neighbor as oneself. He teaches us that the entire Law and the prophets are summarized in these two fundamental commandments. In other words, love is the way to God's will.
"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you." Joshua 23:14-15
The supreme example of obedience to God's will is found in the life of Jesus. He gave His life for the redemption of mankind, obeying the divine plan of salvation. His crucifixion and resurrection are a demonstration of his complete surrender and submission to God's will.
Following Jesus' example, believers can learn to discern and follow God's will in their lives. This involves a life of prayer and communion with God, seeking his guidance and direction in all important decisions. Prayer allows us to connect with the Holy Spirit, who is our Comforter and divine Counselor.
"While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him." Luke 22:47-51
We can also study and meditate on the Scriptures to better understand God's will. The Bible is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and spiritual guidance. Through its pages, we can learn about God's purposes and plans for humanity and for our individual lives.
It is important to remember that God's will may not always be what we expect or desire. Sometimes, we face difficult situations or adversity that we do not understand. However, we must trust that God has a plan for each of us and that His will is always for our good.
Trust in God's will implies total surrender and unwavering faith in his love and wisdom. Although we may not always understand His ways, we can be confident that He guides and protects us at all times.
In times of uncertainty or confusion, we can seek guidance from spiritual leaders and counselors who can offer discernment and wisdom in seeking God's will. The community of believers can be a source of support and direction in our spiritual life.