Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?” Perhaps you’ve experienced major life changes – dropping a child off at college, retiring from a long career, or receiving unexpected news. Even in the small moments of our daily lives, we often grapple with decisions about how to spend our time or energy. Many of us approach these crossroads by making pros and cons lists or even flipping coins to determine our course of action. While these methods can be helpful in discerning our own desires, they fall short of addressing a more profound question: What does God want us to do?

This shift in perspective – from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?” – lies at the heart of Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew 6:9-10. In this passage, Jesus instructs His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The phrase “your will be done” challenges us to move beyond our own desires and align ourselves with God’s purposes. It’s not a call for passive resignation to whatever happens, but rather an active pursuit of God’s will in our lives.

Consider the example of Abraham in Genesis 22. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham didn’t argue or try to change God’s mind. Instead, he rose early the next morning and set out to obey. Abraham’s life was characterized by seeking to fulfill God’s will rather than his own. This obedience ultimately revealed God’s true intentions and led to a profound demonstration of faith. Jesus Himself modeled this approach throughout His life, culminating in His agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Faced with the prospect of crucifixion, Jesus didn’t ask, “What do I want to do?” Instead, He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). So what would it look like if we truly embraced this way of living? Imagine a life where every thought, action, and decision was motivated by a desire to please God and fulfill His will. How different would our lives be if we consistently sought God’s guidance in both big and small matters?

One pastor shared a fascinating experiment he conducted, where he spent an entire day asking God for direction in every decision – from what to wear to how to interact with others. This intentional practice of seeking God’s will led to an unexpected and powerful encounter with a grieving family, demonstrating how God can work through our obedience in ways we never anticipated. The key to living this way is simple, yet profound: we must ask God for guidance. Jesus promises in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God wants us to seek His will, and He is faithful to reveal it when we ask. This approach to life isn’t just about individual transformation; it has the potential to revolutionize entire communities. Imagine a church where every member consistently sought God’s will in all aspects of their lives. The impact would be extraordinary, with countless lives touched and transformed by the power of God working through His obedient people.

One inspiring example of this kind of faith-filled living is Betty Christian, a woman who has served her church for 35 years. Her Christ-like love and care for others, regardless of their circumstances, stems from a deep commitment to listening for God’s voice and stepping out in obedience. Through her faithfulness, thousands of lives have been touched and blessed. Living with this level of obedience and sensitivity to God’s leading requires three key elements: