Flourish In Christ: 7-Day DevotionalSample

“What is God’s will for my life?” is a common question asked by Christians. It comes up in small groups, Sunday school classes and everyday conversations with friends. It is a broad, far-reaching question with a simple answer: our sanctification. We are set apart to God, for His use. In this seemingly simple answer, there is a paradox – the “simplicity” of being sanctified is quite complex. We know what God’s will is for our lives; we just don’t know or understand all that it will involve. We must accept that in His wisdom and goodness that He knows what is best, and we don’t. 

As Christians, we are called to be set apart, yet we still manage to contend with God on this matter. Our flesh often gets the better of us, and we struggle to walk in the will of the Lord. We pray for the things that we want rather than ask the Lord for the things He wills. Then we get angry or despondent when He doesn’t answer those prayers. It is a fearsome thing, asking the Lord to set us apart from the rest of the world. He does this in soul-wrenching ways, including the allowance of suffering and tribulations for His glory and our growth. But the sanctification process is where we find ourselves changing and becoming spiritually mature. As the Psalmist said, “You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined.” We flourish when we surrender to the Lord’s will and seek out His sanctifying hand in our lives. We find that we are up to the task of being set apart because we are full of His Spirit and aware that whatever the circumstance may be, the Lord has our good and His glory in mind. Our faith in Him becomes stronger, and our witness to His greatness becomes evident to those around us. We become pure of heart, and we serve and love God and others more. 

So today, ask yourself: Are you fumbling around with your own will in mind or you actively seeking to be sanctified by the Lord?