I was conversing by email with a new friend of mine who is seeking God’s will about planting a church in Whistler. She asked me how we knew God wanted us to join Community of Hope. This is what I wrote, edited slightly to include references.

As for how we ascertained God’s will with regards to church planting. There are two verses that stick out in my mind in this regard. One is “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) The second is “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) These two verses plus many more teach that when we are seeking to do God’s will, he will bless it. We got involved in our church plant in Newton because we could see that God was moving, and we wanted to be a part of it.

Were there other places we could have served and been in God’s will? Sure. Like picking a career, or picking where you are going to live, God can bless you in any of a multitude of situations. We acted knowing that God can and will do that, if the reason for our decision is to grow closer to him through it. With a God who foreknows all our lives and loves us in spite of our sin, we can trust that we don’t need to agonize over decisions as long as we are seeking to serve God in it. One more verse speaks to this: “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I am actually beginning to think that when people like me say upon being asked to do something, I respond with “I will pray about it”, I should really not be asking God, “Do you want me to do this?”  I should be asking God, “What are my motivations to do or not do this?  Am I resisting because of my own selfishness?  Am I wanting to do it for my own reasons, not yours?”  I think those are the questions God wants us to ask him, not begging to be led about by the nose.  He gave us free will and the power to choose for a reason.  If he wanted automatons, he wouldn’t have created us the way he did.