Jesus

Finding God’s Will: Navigating Life’s Decisions (Part 1)

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / Leave a comment

Introduction: The Crossroads

Mark is at a crossroads. Two job offers have been presented to him. Which one should he choose? Which one is God’s will for him? He likes both and is well suited to each role. Should money be the deciding factor? Or the environment in which he will work?

For Kondwani, the question is which career he should pursue. Then there is also Steve, who is wondering what God’s will is regarding whom he should marry. Stephanie is asking whether she is “called” to singleness or if there is still room for marriage.

Other questions also linger: Which country should we live in, if we could choose? Which church should I join and be part of? Should I quit my job and start my own business? Is this the right time to change what I’m doing? The biggest question for devout believers is this: What is God’s will for me in this season of my life? How can I know His will for me now?

I was ‘gifted’ this question by a young friend who wanted to know how to navigate a particular situation in her life. She was at the point of making an important decision. Being the godly and wise person she is, she wanted to ensure that she made the right decision within the will of God. In helping her—and others, and especially myself—I have taken time over many years to study and wrestle with this same question: How can we know and find God’s will for our lives?

Two Schools of Thought in Seeking Guidance

There are two schools of thought in the Christian world on this matter. Dr. Peter Masters, in his book Steps for Guidance in the Journey of Life, clearly delineates these two views.

The New View on Guidance

One is called the “new view.” The new view states that Christians are entirely free to choose for themselves when they make decisions, whether large or small, provided their choice can take account of the moral guidance of the Bible. In other words, God treats Christians as mature individuals. They can decide for themselves, as long as they follow the general guidance of Scripture.

Should I marry, and whom should I marry? This view insists that the Bible gives no specific direction regarding what God has to say about each individual’s case. It maintains that there is an area of freedom granted by God—whether one marries and whom one marries—as long as it is done in pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

A supporting case of this view would be the example of Paul. Paul the Apostle recommended celibacy because it is less cumbersome for those engaged in missionary work. His calling as an itinerant missionary and apostle seemed to favor this, and so he remained single. He had the right to take a believing wife (1 Cor. 9:5), but he chose not to exercise this right for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:15). Does not the Lord Jesus Christ say that “there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12; italics mine)? To some extent, this points to the level of freedom believers have in making decisions in their lives.

Such an example provides one of the basis for the new view in decision making and seeking God’s will in life. It anchors it on being rational, calculating in our thinking, and exercising our freedom to make God-glorifying decisions.

The four tenets of this view are:

  1. Christians are regarded by God as mature adults capable of making their own decisions.
  2. God gives His people the privilege of personal choice in both major and minor matters.
  3. God desires His people to make sensible decisions in light of the moral guidance and general principles of Scripture.
  4. God’s purpose is that His people grow in wisdom and responsibility, rather than “handing over” their decisions to Him.

However, some Christian writers have opposed this view. For example, Peter Masters, in the same book, critiques this view in the following words:

“It is obvious that as soon as we no longer respect God’s specific will for our lives, we will find ourselves at the mercy of our personal inclinations and desires. These are bound to influence our decisions more highly than they should, and we will find it easy to justify and indulge our whims. Also, as soon as we are freed from the duty of submitting to and standing loyal to God’s will, we will more easily sheer away from hard callings and irksome situations.”

Because of this perspective, it can be argued, Christians may lack the restraint or conviction to remain in their callings when difficulties arise. This is largely due to the absence of a strong sense that God has specifically placed them in a particular role, church, or vocation. When believers have a strong conviction of being where they are or doing what they are doing as the will of God, they persevere in the path they are in. Paul often introduced himself as an apostle by the will of God (see 1 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1). This conviction gave him a sense of obligation to fulfil the task he had. But without such a conviction, one can simply bail out when the work becomes too hard to bear.

If this is the case with the new view, which has some good biblical grounds as well, what is the alternative? We shall explore that in the next blog post.

Why Preparation Leads to Success in Life Decisions

/ Masauso Moses Phiri / Leave a comment

Many people start things. Few finish them.

Many start construction projects. Few finish them. Many join gym memberships in January. Few stay consistent through the year.

Some leave employment to pursue entrepreneurship. A few years later, they are back in employment. Others, nevertheless, thrive.

Many start studies—a master’s degree, a PhD, a professional course. Again, only a few finish.

What explains the difference between those who start and finish, and those who start but never finish what they began?

The Problem with “Just Start”

I suspect the answer is simple: many do not count the cost.

We live in a culture that celebrates the mantra, “Just start!” But should you? What would the Lord Jesus say about that?

In Luke 14:28–30, Jesus says:

“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (emphasis added).

This is very different from the modern slogan: Just do it. You want to build a tower? Just do it. You want to go to war? Just go for it.

That is not Jesus’ counsel.

Be Prudent Before Taking Action

Jesus continues in Luke 14:31–32:

“Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.”

Failure to count the cost often leads to failure. Failure to ask whether we have what it takes to finish what we start leads to disappointment and shame.

At its core, this is about prudence and preparation.

We often celebrate the few who “jumped” and things worked out. But they are rare. Many jumped and did not land well. Many quit stable jobs to “do their own thing” and eventually had to return to employment.

Wisdom Begins with Discernment

Here is the point: we must be prudent about what we plan to start.

Proverbs 14:8 says: “The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.”

Discernment comes first. Where do you want to go? What will it take to get there?

To discern simply means to find out or perceive. This requires research. It requires asking hard questions. Seeking godly counsel from the older and wiser.

You want to pursue a certain career path? Good.
What will it take to finish it?
Do you have the aptitude for its core demands?

You want to be a lawyer? Do you have the capacity to read long cases? To write and argue persuasively? To deal with difficult clients—sometimes criminals seeking loopholes in the justice system?

Count the cost.

Beware of the Danger of Recklessness

Proverbs 14:15–16 adds:

“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”

The unwise person believes everything he hears.

Someone says, “I quit my job and started my own business. I’m doing very well.”
No questions are asked. Is it legal? Is it ethical? Is it sustainable?

The simple believes everything.

But the prudent gives thought to his steps. He practices delayed decision-making, especially in major life choices. He asks: What will this cost me? Do I have the knowledge and capacity required? What preparation is necessary?

Preparation Makes Completion Possible

Consider a man who wanted to run his own business. He struggled to work for others, but he had responsibilities—a family to support and school fees to pay.

Instead of “just jumping,” he prepared. He saved two years’ worth of living expenses. Only then did he resign and start a small manufacturing and contracting business. That financial cushion gave him time to learn the business. By the third year, he earned enough to sustain his family.

Another wanted to build a home. Instead of starting construction right away, they first secured land. For years, they met only the basic development requirements. During that time, they saved. They bought building blocks and stored them. They saved for the roof, then for the interior finishes.

When construction finally began, the house was completed in less than six months.

Painstaking preparation. Swift execution. Successful completion.

It Is Wise to Wait

It is okay to wait.
It is wise to prepare.
It is godly to count the cost.

Preparation matters.

So before you start anything, ask yourself this question:

Do you have what it takes to finish what you are about to start?