“What is the will of God for my life?’ This question or one that is similar to it has probably been asked by almost every human being on the planet at one point or another in his or her lives. It makes no difference what your religious affiliation is or what your beliefs are, I can guarantee that you have thought about what your purpose is here on this planet. It is kind of the quintessential question of the human existence. So how do we go about answering this monumental question in a way that makes sense to us and at the same time has some semblance of substance to it?

Lets be honest--no one likes to have a candy coated, Sunday school answer. People want to have something that can hold some weight, something that they can hang their hat on at the end of the day.

As Christians we often say that our will of God is that we love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength; which is not wrong but it can sometimes miss the mark when trying to answer more specific questions of purpose and what God’s will is for our lives.

I believe that we can find a much more substantive answer when we read the 12th chapter of Romans. In this book the apostle Paul is writing to a nation that is not that different then the country that we live in today. America is in many ways the Rome of the first and second century.

ROMANS 12

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I know that this was a large portion of scripture and there are probably at least 10 sermons in it, but this is a great list for us to work from when we are thinking about this question.

The main point that I want you to take from this weeks post is that we have all been given specific talents, abilities and passions for a reason. God made us to be who we are and knew who we would be before we were even born. Even while we were in our mother’s womb he had plans for us. (Psalm 139:13) I love how Paul describes us as a body with each of us having a specific role to play. It is easy for us to understand that the feet were made for walking and not writing and the ears were created for hearing and not seeing. It is the same with each and every one of us.

We have all been given different gifts (v.11) and God has asked to take those gifts and talents and run with them. Use the God given passions and abilities we have been given and in so doing we honor God with them. As it says if you have the gift of teaching, teach; If you have the gift of leadership then govern, and the list goes on.

One thing that I do want to make very clear is this; just because there are only seven “gifts” listed does not mean that these are the only gifts that are to be had. If you have the gift of music, use it. If you have the gift of storytelling, share it with others. If you have the gift of athletics then participate and bring glory and honor to God. Regardless of what you are gifted in make sure that the glory is going to God and the honor is paid to the one who generously gave you these gifts. Remember God made you who you are on purpose. You are not an accident and despite the fact that he is omnipotent and knows what you are going to do he is cheering you on.

So if you are contemplating what it is that God has for you and what his will is for your life, begin by taking stock of what gifts and abilities he has given you and spend some time in pray and meditation on this chapter in Romans, asking God to reveal what it is that he wants you to accomplish for his kingdom with the talents and passions that you have.