We all want to know. "What is God's Will?"

How many times have you (as a believer) heard another say that they just want to, “do God’s will.” As if we don’t know what that is? In 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 (verse 16) it says, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (NASB). Could it be that simple? Could God just be asking us to do those three things and let the rest up to us? I believe God did make things simple for us. I’m not that bright and in watching many different folks throughout my time on this earth I’ve seen the people with the simplest outlook on life to be the more content and happy. It’s when we overthink or overact that we create a larger mess for ourselves.

No matter what is going on in your life you should rejoice. If you trust God and are trying to live as you know you should; treating others the way you’d like to be treated; constantly praising is a must. All believers that trust God know that He has them right where he wants them every second of every moment in their life. It’s for this thought we rejoice. Whether times are good for us, when we can rest or, when we are being transformed to be more like Jesus in the harder times; God has us in the moment for a reason, and for that we rejoice. We are not always smart enough to know why or how it is working in our lives. But, we trust God. Right? He always is.

Because God is always right we should speak with him consistently. We should pray without ceasing because when we talk with God, He hears us. Even when it doesn’t look or feel like it, He does. I pray when I’m driving and someone around me isn’t driving well or with caution (in my perception). I pray they safely get to their destination as it looks like they won’t. Whenever I hear a siren, I pray for the folks going to help, and the people they are going to help. Having had an ambulance ride or two myself, I understand the need. As a teacher, I quietly pray at the beginning of each school day for our staff and students, “Lord, let our teachers teach and our students learn.” Whenever there is a nudge on my shoulder from God, about someone or something, I say a simple little prayer. Why do people or circumstances come into our minds? I don’t have an answer to that but maybe I should ask God. I think that when people pray, they think that because they’re talking with God, they need to “up their game,” in their word selection and holiness. I believe God appreciates that but also admires our rough raw words in the moment which express our desire to have Him be a part of our day. When we do, we will see His presence in our lives.

Soon, we will all (in the US) be sitting down to a table to give thanks. I particularly have begun to see this as one of my more favorite holidays. Maybe it's the lack of commercialism. Even though it can be a fulfilling and busy day for the chefs, there’s something simple and sweet in taking a day to be thankful. Whenever I’m in school, and I see a student without prompting from a staff member to say, “thank you,” it warms my heart. I remember the story in the gospel of when Jesus heals ten people, and only one comes back to thank Him. I want to be that one. I want to live to warm God’s heart with my actions. Bring Him a smile. We all like to be acknowledged with a simple “thank you.” Maybe we get that from our Creator. Maybe He wants us to acknowledge Him, His creation, and follow Him, giving thanks. We can all believe in God but, as it says in the book of James; our faith is shown by our deeds. The Creator gives us all things which are used for our good, whether or not we see it or understand it in the moment. We praise Him for this, we speak to Him to help us through this, and we should give Him thanks for simply guiding us.

So, is following God’s will that simple? If you are a believer, and if you do these three things, rejoice, pray and give thanks to God, I’d bet that your decisions in life will be formed to His will. It’s your simple belief that will start this lifestyle of contentment. Shouldn’t your Creator be praised, conversed with, and thanked? I simply believe He should, because He said so.