Worth More than Many Sparrows

As followers of Jesus, we easily understand that God has a will for us. Of course he does. In fact, Romans 12:2 even tells us how to find God’s will: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

So, of course God has a will for us…each of us.

At this point, many followers of Jesus decide that they are going to find out what God’s will is for their life. This as another way of asking the question: God, where do you want me to go? What do you want me to do?

Usually, when the question is asked in this manner there is an assumption that God has a will for me, and I have to go find it. And based on Romans 12:2, I can find it by being transformed by the renewing of my mind.

Unfortunately, being transformed by the renewing of our minds is difficult to do.

It is true that God has a will for you, but it is equally true that God needs to reveal that will to you before you can accomplish it. The good news is as you abandon yourself to God’s will, he will reveal it to you. Unfortunately, his will always occurs in his timing, not ours.

It is important to remember if you are going to grow spiritually, you do not have to find God’s will, you only have to abandon yourself to it. Not knowing God’s will for your life at this moment will not inhibit your spiritual growth. In fact, it may cause greater spiritual growth as you diligently seek out his will through the renewing of your mind.

I can tell you with certainty that failing to abandon ourselves to God’s will definitely has disastrous consequences for our spiritual growth. This is because we pretend to give ourselves to God’s will for his desires, when in reality we have ulterior motives. The greatest joy of God is not in what we accomplish or what we experience, but rather our willingness and desire to completely trust him with our lives. God desires us to completely abandon our lives to him; no exceptions.

What it comes down to is whether we are the sole executors of our lives, or if God is. Are we God’s, or are we ours? Unfortunately, we cannot be both. When we completely abandon ourselves to God’s will we are each emphatically saying to God: “I am yours, with no reservations. I give myself fully over to you.”

In turn, God responds to this type of obedience with amazing power that will propel your spiritual growth. God is not primarily interested in supporting the life you want, he is primarily interested in supporting the life he wants for you. God wants your life to be completely his. In return, God will always meet you in your obedience, and enable you to grow spiritually.

Remember…God loves you…which is one reason he has a will for you. Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).