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If you’ve ever struggled to determine God’s will for your life, you’re not the only one.
Deciding who to marry, when to move, and where to work is agonizing when you have so many good options. We’re afraid of making the wrong choice, stepping outside of God’s will, and ruining our lives.
But what if we’re making this harder than it needs to be?
That’s what pastor and author Kevin DeYoung would say. His book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will aims to relieve the paralysis many of us feel while trying to make decisions that honor God.
The book’s message is simple: stop waiting for a sign in the sky and make a decision.
He writes, “Maybe we have difficulty discovering God’s wonderful plan for our lives because, if the truth be told, He doesn’t really intend to tell us what it is. And maybe we’re wrong to expect Him to.”
It’s not that God doesn’t care about our lives — he does. And it’s not that God isn’t completely in control of our lives — he is. DeYoung’s point is that our knowledge of these two facts should free us to make choices confidently rather than enslave us to fear and inactivity.
“The better way is the biblical way,” DeYoung writes in Just Do Something. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we’re going.”
God’s Will for Your Dating Relationship
While we were dating, I spent a lot of time praying and waiting for God to give me confirmation that my boyfriend was the man I was supposed to marry.
Confirmation never came – at least, in the crystal-clear way I wanted.
My partner’s character was admirable, other people approved of our marriage, and I loved him. Still, I was never certain we were making the right decision until after we were married.
I kind of wish I had read DeYoung’s book back then. Perhaps God would have used it to uncover my misguided approaches to his will. Perhaps reading the book would have quieted my fears about marrying the wrong person.
If you’re struggling to make decisions about your long-distance relationship — whether that’s moving, breaking up or getting engaged — I’d recommend reading DeYoung’s book. It might save you a lot of time and energy. Most importantly, it might help you enjoy more confidence and freedom in Christ.
Favorite Quotes from Just Do Something
“Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives. And yes, we can be assured that He works things for our good in Christ Jesus. And yes, looking back we will often be able to trace God’s hand in bringing us to where we are. But while we are free to ask God for wisdom, He does not burden us with the task of divining His will of direction for our lives ahead of time.”
“Trusting in God’s will of decree is good. Following His will of desire is obedient. Waiting for God’s will of direction is a mess. It is bad for your life, harmful to your sanctification, and allows too many Christians to be passive tinkerers who strangely feel more spiritual the less they actually do.”
“The most important issues for God are moral purity, theological fidelity, compassion, joy, our witness, faithfulness, hospitality, love, worship, and faith. These are His big concerns. The problem is that we tend to focus most of our attention on everything else.”
Where to Buy
Just Do Something is available for purchase on Amazon as well as from other sellers.
Also, did you know? The audiobook version of Just Do Something is free on Amazon when you sign up for an Audible trial. You can cancel anytime before the 30-day trial ends to avoid charges, but you’ll still get to keep your free book!
