Years ago, my younger daughter wanted to go play with the kids in the next flat, so she told her mum, but the mum directed her to me. She came to me and asked, “Daddy, should I go?” Since it’s quite late in the day, I told her, “No, you will go tomorrow.” She began to cry, “I want to go…”. I thought my response would satisfy her, but it did not.
Friend, how many times have you asked God, “Daddy, should I go?”, not with the intention of being satisfied with what He has to say, but just to fulfil all righteousness? How many times have you asked God, “Daddy, should I marry her? Should I take up that job offer? Should I move to that new location, etc.”, not to follow Him but just to fulfil all righteousness?
Why are you asking God for direction when you have already made up your mind on what you would do (Luke 6:46)? Listen, God cannot be fooled. He knows when your prayer is just a mere religious obligation and when it is coming from a genuine heart that wants to follow His will.
You need to get rid of the idols in your heart as you yield to God’s will (Ezekiel 14:4). Sometimes, people receive a pseudo response from God. They thought they heard a “go ahead” from God, only to later discover that God did not speak to them. He only ‘answered’ them according to the idols in their heart (Ezekiel 14:4).
Don’t be like that man who kept telling God, “Lord, I am ready to go anywhere for you, but not this particular location.” God kept telling him, “that is where I want you to go.” The struggle continued until he said, “Lord, I’m ready to go wherever you want me to go.” To his utter amazement, God told him, “Son, I’m not actually sending you to that location, I only want to break that resistance in you. I want you to be willing to do my bidding.”
Divine direction is for those who are submitted to God. It is for those who say, “Lord, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). This is why the cross is that place where the will of God crosses out your own will. It is the place of surrender. If you are still holding unto your own will, plans, agenda, etc. above God’s, you have not been to the cross, and without the cross, there is no glory (Philippians 2:5-11).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria