Will

Will The Will to Do It
The late Dr. Wernher Von Braun once was asked what it would take for man to reach the moon, and he replied, "The will to do it." This answer holds good in nearly every field of human endeavor. In medicine, determination and persistence have paid off in spectacular breakthroughs in conquering diseases. In transportation the dream of traveling around the world in a matter of hours has become a reality because the will to do so was strong. "The will to do it!" How vitally important this attitude is in Christianity! If you really want to do God's will, you can, but you must will to do it. This is true in so many areas of our lives. Where the Storm May Carry You
There is a beautiful figure in one of Wordsworth's poems about a bird swept from the rough and rocky country habitat by the strong winds of a storm. The bird battled desperately, trying to get back to its familiar home, but all in vain. At last, it yielded to the wind, thinking that the storm would carry it to its death, but the gale carried it across the waves and brought it to a sunny land with green meadows and forest glades.
How many of us have been like that little voyager, fretting and fighting against the will of God? We think life can never be the same again when we are carried seaward by the storm, until at last, we cease our struggling and yield to the wind, only to find that we have been carried to a place far better. God's Word encourages us to praise the Lord in the midst of raging waves and the strong winds of the storm. We can be assured that in God's own time and way, He will bring us to a better haven He has prepared for us. Remember: none lives so pleasantly as he who lives by faith.

God's Will
Here is an illustration of how to find God's will that has been useful to many: There was a certain harbor that was treacherous and dangerous. In order for the captain to guide his ship safely into this harbor, he had to be very attentive to the three lights that were used to guide him. When all three lights lined up as one, he knew it was safe to proceed. Then, and only then, would he be able to bring his ship safely to port.
As we seek guidance, we, too, have to be attentive to three lights that are used to guide us into the harbor of His will: the Word of God, outward circumstances, and inner conviction. When all three of these lights line up, we can proceed with assurance that we will be led safely into the harbor.

Respect God's Will
A good pilot must have a healthy fear of gravity. This respect is not in the conscious mind of most pilots, but it forms the foundation of everything they do. When a headstrong pilot comes up against gravity, gravity will win-no matter how strongly the pilot opposes it. A pilot who does not respect gravity is not around to tell us about it. In a sense, this healthy respect of gravity is similar to our living in submission to God's sovereign will. Ultimately, whether or not we choose to accept it, God's will wins out.

How to Find God's Will
A young man went into a church and started praying. He was so anxious to find God's will for his life that he took a piece of paper and wrote down all the things that he was going to do for God. Then he started to pray that God might reveal to him whether these promises were acceptable to Him.
"This is not the way I want you to find My will. All I want of you is for you to sign your name and leave the paper blank for Me to fill." The Human Will
A waitress, a fine Christian woman, works in a restaurant. The tax law states that tips received from customers should be declared as "taxable revenue." But the Christian waitress begins to rationalize: "The others do not declare them; Why should I? If I do, I shall get them in trouble." The element of benevolence enters this situation and a sinful action is justified as one of protection of fellow workers. In reality, however, the non-declaration of tips, altogether or in part, is due to the fact that so much tax has to be paid. What, then, does this Christian waitress think of doing? Do not count the tips but declare a flat sum for each working day. Her will hinders her from reporting her actual earnings. The human will is the hardest horse to tame; it is the hardest part of our personality to subject to the will of God. Sometimes we even want the will of God to appear as our own will.

God's Will, My Will
A lady had a little gold cross, on the upright part of which the words, "God's will," were engraved. On the crossbar were the words, "My will." At the touch of a spring the cross disappeared and left only a straight beam bearing the words, "God's will." Thus, when our will is lost in God's and we are indeed dead unto sin, it is no longer a cross to follow Christ. We shall no longer complain that we do not get our own selfish way, because we shall not have any. When our will is contrary to God's will, then we have a cross to bear.