“For a wide door for effective work has opened to me and there are many adversaries.”
I suspect that Paul’s seminar on “How To Find The Will Of God” would not find many takers today.
Looking at 1 Corinthians 16:9, there are just three check-boxes:
Box 1 — A wide door.
That’s an easy check. Who doesn’t love it when God opens a door big enough for a Mack truck? Paul may have heard a still small voice, but at this moment in his walk with God the direction was more like a digital billboard, keys to the city, a six-lane highway, or a yellow-brick road. Paul knew where to go.
Box 2 — Effective work.
Yes! Another easy check, because none of us want to tell the Lord how we perfected the art of twiddling our thumbs during our brief time on this planet.
My personal mission is, “Helping leaders maximize and multiply their ‘one and only life’ for God’s glory.” Leadership is stewardship. That’s why leaders look for ways to maximize and multiply their talents for God. That was Paul’s life story. So when God pointed out an opportunity for effective work, Paul was all over it. This was a no-brainer.
Box 3 — Many adversaries.
Whoa. Wait just a minute! “Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!”
For some reason adversity is not part of our discernment equation when it comes to will of God. If the job requires tough times, an uncomfortable move, change in weather, a smaller house, or the loss of some of our creature comforts, it can be easy to confuse a few unpleasant prospects as an indication the step in question is not God’s will.
“Yeah, I’m just not really feeling peace about it.”
I find it interesting that “peace” and “Paul” rarely appear together in Scripture.
God used Paul to bring a message of “peace with God” to those at odds with God.
Paul was a beacon and buoy of peace to those he served.
Paul blessed others with, “Grace to you and peace!”
But the idea of “feeling at peace about his prospects” never seemed to play a big part of Paul’s discernment equation.
Do you remember how Paul responded to his peace-loving friends who, when they got word of the adversity awaiting him in Jerusalem, urged him not to go? Paul said,
“For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Christians are reconcilers. They are “peace-bringers.” To bring peace means stepping into places where peace is lacking. And where peace is lacking, adversity is usually lingering.
When it comes to discerning the will of God, the one thing we want for confirmation may actually be the thing we are called to bring as blessing. Be careful about making, "I just have a peace about it” the fourth box you must check to sense you have determined the will of God.
Christians don’t necessarily wait for “feeling at peace.” They bring peace!