There are times in this crazy life I feel as though I’m walking in circles. That usually comes when I’m trying really hard to understand or intuit God’s will for me or our family in very vague situations. More specific situations don’t seem to be as tough, but the vagueness comes when I try to plan things too far out or dabble in the gray area that is the future. That’s when I start going in circles, as if one leg were considerably shorter than the other.

I’m reading The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias right now, which is a book all about how God weaves all the details of our life together in ways unimaginable–and in many ways which we won’t see until our earthly eyes are dimmed. In a chapter on the subject of how our personal will matters in the overall scheme of things, Ravi shares that “if we walk in the known will of the Father, he reveals aspects of his will not so easily known. The hard part is to do that part of his will we already know.” Seems simple right?

Now this struck me because of how often I swim in the vague end of the pool versus walking through what I know for sure via God’s communicated, written Word. Sure, God can speak to people who are in outright rebellion against him. But as you read through scripture and see those people and peoples who are hearing from God in terms of what they should do, the first move is obedience to what God’s ALREADY said. It’s no different today. What has God already said through scripture or prayer that you aren’t doing? Look there first before you look forward. And find solace in Proverbs 3.6-8 “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [7] Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. [8] It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

What’s your experience been with trying to discern God’s will?