A Young Man’s Desire to Know the Will of God

Hi John,

Knowing God’s will about life is a matter, mostly of spending time with him and then doing what you want. As you spend time with him, you become like him. Then you begin to think like him and do the things he does. As this happens, you begin to anticipate how he thinks and reacts and you begin to do this naturally and easily.

Here are a few verses that say the same thing. Of course, they are actually the important ones, not my opinion.

Psalm 37:4— Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Pro 3:5-6^— Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Cor. 10:31— So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

The first couple of verses tell us that we need to make the desires and cares of God the focus of our lives. As we do that he will shape our desires and then give us what we desire.

The third verse, tells us that whatever we do, we need to make sure that it brings glory to God. This, of course, precludes focusing on bringing glory to ourselves. We only glorify him when we get everything else out of the way.

I think you need to think long term. Think of yourself as a man, and not an old boy. Make plans that will establish you as the kind of man God can use in a great way ten, fifteen, or twenty years from now. I don’t really think that includes being in the military. That strikes me as the kind of thing boys do for the thrill at the moment.

Your being in the medical field is great as long as you think of how you want to be involved long term. Do you see yourself being a medic as a career? With a family? Do you see using it as a stepping stone to become a doctor, or something else that would be more of a career sort of thing?

You say the gold mine business appears to be greedy and selfish, but what isn’t? Unless you’re walking with God, everything is at least selfish and if you make any money at it, greedy.

I’m not saying get into the oil business. But perhaps there is a way to use the oil business to get into a career that will establish you as a benevolent business man or doctor or lawyer or something else useful for the Kingdom of God. I suggest you “plunder the Egyptians.” Use the opportunity there in AK to establish yourself with a long productive, wisdom filled, and full life.

Luther, I think, said, “Love God and do what you want.” I think that is a good quote. But do what you want based on the long view rather than what is right in front of you now. Think ahead and plan a life. Look around; imitate people you admire, and avoid the pitfalls of people who you don’t think ended up the way you want to end up.

Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and to start over. You’re young, you have time. Also, don’t do anything you can’t undo. Don’t get tattoos. Don’t sin. Don’t get involved with a girl, unless you’re prepared to give your life to her and it is part of your long range plan. Don’t slide into anything. Don’t do anything accidentally. Be proactive and purposeful.

There, I’ve dumped the truck on you. I’ll be praying for you. Let me know how everything turns out.

Again, I’m sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.