Inside or Outside the Will of God?

What does your life look like if you’re outside of the will of God?

I’ve pondered this question over the years–usually when some crisis or another has hit and I’m not sure I’ve been in the right place or done the right thing.

Could the calamity befalling me be the result of my missing what God wanted me to do?

A horrific tornado in Joplin, Missouri, combined with the terrible tornadoes across the southern US frighten.

Add the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, not to mention record snow, flooding, cold weather and other natural calamities for concern.

But is anyone even talking about the possibility Someone may be trying to get our attention?

Is it possible we’re outside of God’s will in our life? 

Think how annoying it is when you can’t find the scissors, lose the car keys, or forget to pack a lunch.

That’s actually a good sign, the right Reverend Ronald Gauss told us one day, because it means you’re probably doing what God wants you to do.

Satan is trying to trip you up–to keep your eyes off the task God has appointed by frustrating you.

I think of Ron’s comments when stupid irritations crop up over and over again. I often think “what could I possibly be doing for the Kingdom of God that Satan wants to distract me from?”

But that’s not the same thing as wondering if I’m outside of God’s will to such an extent that He is using extreme measures to catch my attention.

An answer to an earnest prayer

I remember another time when I knelt at the altar. I earnestly prayed: “Lord, I’m drifting. Please do something to capture my attention and refocus me on You.”

Several weeks later my children, mother-in-law, and I were in an automobile acciden.

With the car totaled and the children riding in an ambulance to the hospital, He got my attention. I felt distinctly like we had been spared our lives and my worship was far more intense than it had been in some time.

But was I outside of the will of God? Or did I just need some realignment of my priorities? 

Does it make a difference?

When we turn to the Bible and look at the life of David, a man after God’s own heart, we see instances where he clearly acted outside of God’s will. What was the result?

King David’s behavior with Bathsheba, wife of the soldier Uriah, obviously defied God’s will. David’s subsequent chicanery to cover his sin–made obvious in Bathsheba’s pregnancy–caused Uriah’s death and that of other good soldiers.

Throughout the attempted cover-up time, David felt harried. He grew frustrated at Uriah’s ethical behavior. He tried to tempt Uriah into violating the soldier’s beliefs and his men.

David got angry, then drunk. I see no indication the king tried to talk to God–he avoided God.

The good news is, the Lord loved David enough to send a prophet. Nathan confronted King David with his sin and urge him to repentance.

When David repented, he returned to the will of God–a broken man with a contrite heart, who had more griefs to bear.

David knew he was wrong in the Bathsheba-Uriah story. He avoided God.

Can I be outside of the will of God, if I pray, read the Bible, and submit to the spiritual authorities in my life?

Am I likely to be outside of the will of God if I ask Him to direct my steps? 

I’m not so sure I’m outside of God’s will in my present circumstances–but I do know the emotional longing to climb into God’s lap and just sit.

The good news is, His lap is always open ready to receive me. Loving and forgiving me–and you–that’s definitely the will of God.

Am I outside of the will of God? Or do I need to realign my priorities? Click to Tweet