God's Will is God's Word

Ever feel like God is working so tangibly in your life that you feel like he’s secretly watching you from around the corner zapping things into motion before your eyes? That was me today. Granted I understand God works every day in all of our lives but some days are more evident than others. I mean He didn’t appear to Moses in a burning bush every day either, right? Right. I hope this entry is encouraging to you. I pray that it brings clarity from confusion, comfort from pain, and courage from fear.
Since leaving active duty from the Marines last year I’ve been interning with my church while pursuing my degree at Biola. I’ve known for a while now that God has called me into full time ministry but haven’t nailed down what that looks like. My heart is with college aged students so that’s where my focus has been and will continue to be. Some of you may know that I’ve also considered returning to active duty as a Chaplain following my graduation from Biola and seminary. In the mean time I’ve been involved as much as I can be in my church’s college group, Praxis, and have truly desired to invest in the lives of the students I’ve met there. As of late the desire to become a military Chaplain has been weighing heavily on my heart.
My college pastor, Mark, gave me the privilege of filling in for him while He and his family are on vacation. This morning I spoke on Revelation 15, the lukewarm church, and how God drew parallels between Laodicea’s economic status and their spiritual obedience. I don’t know how well I did on the delivery…I’m very hard on myself. I could get 100% on an exam and still feel like I bombed it. (Clearly a dilemma, I never get 100% on exams). This did however afford me a taste of what full time ministry is about. Afterwards I went home and took a short nap. Anyone who knows me well knows that if I sleep less than two hours for a nap I’m a complete grump. I slept for twenty minutes. I had in mind to cancel coffee with my friend, Daniel, because I was so irritable. Phone in hand…I decided not to. Daniel and I haven’t been friends for long but haven’t had a conversation yet that’s been anything short of fulfilling. Today was no different. We were discussing how to identify God’s will. He mentioned a phrase our pastor used during a discussion on the will of God, "God's will is God's Word." There is so much truth to that. Our discussion affirmed my long believed stance that rarely does God have a specific calling for anyone but rather what we do end up pursuing we are to do as unto Him.
Afterwards I stopped by Berean to look at some books. I didn’t have any in mind but I felt like I needed to entertain my bookstore fix. While there I stumbled across a book on special display written by a military Chaplain. I passed by it a few times before pulling it off display to take a gander. I didn’t want to spend the money but figured I’d read a few pages on the couch they had. He has been in for just over twenty years but wasn’t always a Chaplain. Take a wild guess at his former job…a military police. For those of you who don’t know I was a military police. Interesting huh? I didn’t get three pages further than that without reading of two other Chaplains he worked with. One’s name was John Reed…the other, John Read. Suddenly $15 seemed very trivial.
Now I affirm God’s sovereignty, omniscience, and that He can do whatever he pleases by any means. However, I’m not that guy who gives all glory and honor because Pittsburg won a game. I mean that’s just silly. (maybe if it was Cleveland some rejoicing may be in order but…)
I’m not settling on Chaplaincy just yet…but rather finding my peace with God’s love, provision, and humor. Is this a sign? Is this divine intervention? I can say confidently that it is. Whether it’s a sign that Chaplaincy is in fact what I’m called for is beyond mine or anyone’s authority to tell with absolute assert. I may not be a 5-point Calvinist…but I do believe that God’s sovereignty is the final say, the final authority, and the ushering path of His children’s rightful home.
Be blessed, be encouraged.