Discerning the Will of God

Sep 01, 2010 by Fr Luke Palumbis

Decisions, decisions. By design God has provided us with the capacity and ability to choose freely. By virtue of the contemporary times that we live in, we are presented with a myriad of opportunities to make decisions; from the trivial to the life-impacting. Each of us individually has a process that we go through, some conscious, some unconscious, that help us arrive at those decisions. Lists of pluses and minuses, a SWOT analysis, talking to a trusted confidant, or maybe even holding on to a lucky rabbit foot? It seems that the larger the decision, we often add another component to the process; attempting to discern what God’s will is.

How is it that we attempt to discern the will of God? I have found myself at various points in my life, as perhaps you have, in the crux of large decisions — on my knees, praying that God will simply ‘tell me what to do!’ Miracles of this nature have happened, and our holy Orthodox tradition attests to that. However, in the daily grind of our Christian pilgrimage we must take root in the message that God has already offered us, and not simply hope in the message that He may miraculously send to us.

Our Father in Heaven has given us a mind to think, a heart to feel, and a soul to discern. Furthermore, He has provided us with His Gospel message of love that teaches us the essence of how to apply love in our daily life. With all of these gifts, given to us by the Lord, we all obtain a blessed roadmap that leads to the discernment of God’s will. This map does not direct us to a particular job, dynamics with that one family member, or even who to marry! Rather, this map shepherds us toward the understanding of how we are to carry ourselves within any situation.

When we attempt to seek God’s will, we always arrive at the point of redirecting our ques- tion. Rather than what should I do, we ask, what decision will provide the best opportunity for me to love?

As we begin the Ecclesiastical New Year this September 1 and review our individual and family priorities as they will reflect in church events, after-school activities, work schedules, and social events — I encourage everyone to ask themselves as we commit to scheduling… ‘What is God’s will.’

Beginning with weekly attendance at the Divine Liturgy, and the plethora of community programs and activities, choose to include the House of the Lord as a priority in respect to one of your most precious possessions — time.

In this Ecclesiastical New Year, let us love one another in the most perfect way that we are able — with a love that is centered on the love of Jesus Christ. With a commitment to active parish life, your ability to discern and follow the will of God will be significantly increased, as it is through His Church that we most authentically learn to love, as it is through His Church that we receive His love.

May our Patron, Saint Basil the Great, intercede on our behalf in this most pilgrimage of faith . . . a pilgrimage centered on the will of God.

+ Fr. Luke Palumbis