Obedience to God's good, perfect and pleasing will. Romans 12:2

It occurred to me on reflection that I struggle with obedience to God's will on two levels. First, trusting that God's will is something I wish to do or believe is actually good. Second, that the specific steps required are too difficult or grievous to perform.

This can be said of any subject. If it is evangelism I may determine that it is a good thing to do, but I may believe that what God is asking me to do is too grievous or difficult to perform. For example, if I determine that God wants me to share my faith I may feel pressure to do things that I have an aversion to doing, such as: going door to door, passing out tracts on a street corner, engaging a stranger with the topic of "are you going to heaven when you die?" or something like that. If I were to suggest something more doable or agreeable with my disposition or sense of social appropriateness I feel as though I am being a coward or copping out rather than being affirmed for what I think are legitimate reservations.

Even if the ultimate goal might be to develop a boldness that knows no bounds or restrictions in sharing my faith, I just like the idea that we serve a compassionate, patient and loving God who isn't going to lay a guilt trip on me and hold me responsible for the salvation of all humanity. I like to know that he allows and even encourages us to work our way into the service of evangelism.

How about relationships? Would his will be for a lifetime of singleness for someone who clearly does not have "the gift" of singleness? If God's will is marriage for such a person, then is it of no concern what qualities or traits that person has as long as that person is a "sold out for Jesus" Christian? If I do not believe that it is good to marry someone that I do not love just for the sake of obedience, how is that God's good, perfect and pleasing will?

Supposing that God does want to give us the desires of our heart in marriage. What is he asking that we do in order to make that a reality? Does he expect us to go to every singles event offered? Does he limit us to our local church? In otherwords is he making the ability to comply with his will too grievous or difficult to acheive? Or again does he encourage babysteps? Does he give us direction? Does he provide opportunity? Does he give us achievable goals to encourage our hearts or does he set us up for failure and dissillusionment, by setting the bar too high? Conversely, does he set the bar too low so that we become indifferent, and then berate us for being ungrateful or indecisive?

When it comes to a job choice, does he take into consideration our concerns? Our interests? Our expectations? Is he concerned only that we do something that is humbling in some way?

I was listening to a radio program the other day and a caller mentioned why there are no neurotics in the Third World and plenty in the First World. He attributed it primarily to religious differences. Eastern religion teaches that life is cyclical and you take the good with the bad there is no reason for either. In Judeo/Christian thinking, we are taught to have expectations, that if we do a certain thing goodness will result. I would also add that we believe in a God who loves us and wants to give us good things. We do not believe in a random universe that is cold and indifferent. So is the meaning of life to simply let go of our expectations and accept our circumstances and thus find happiness? Or should we strive for a better life, trusting that God will help us and sustain us in our efforts? Furthermore, that God will inspire us to dream and to acheive.

How do we determine God's good, perfect and pleasing will? That is a tough question.