02-May-2005
Who hasn’t struggled with questions about what God would have us do? Finding and Following God’s Will presents a biblically based theology. Each of its chapters centers around a common question people have such as, Are we following God’s plan or our own selfish desires? Are we looking for certainty when we should be stepping out in faith? Are we supposed to make plans if our future is in God’s hands? Does God still speak?
Instead of telling readers the answers, which I’m not sure anyone fully understands, the chapters use retellings of Bible stories, true contemporary stories, and questions for reflection or small group discussions to help people grasp how, when and why God guides us.
In recent months, I’ve taught from Finding and Following God’s Will in several settings. Some of the comments I’ve heard include:
As a pastor, I think I’ve been so aware of how people have misused the Bible, certain that they have a direct line on truth, that I’ve stopped teaching people how to do it. This helps me reclaim its truths.
How little I rely on God even when I’m praying! As I read of the woman who turned to God when faced with divorce papers, all I could think of was, “I’d be looking for books on do-it-yourself divorce, not for my Bible. This makes me rethink how I need to turn to God.
The stories affirm that there are no easy answers, yet gave me reason to keep seeking what God wants me to do.
We just read stories, yet I learned theology!
God does still speak, but without a clear understanding of the why’s and how’s, we are vulnerable to being misguided or believing that God isn’t speaking to us at all. It is my prayer that Finding and Following God’s Will might draw readers closer to the God who promised us hope and a future. I hope that you will read its pages and consider recommending it to friends.
