God's Will

Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. People are always trying to figure out what the will of the Father is. I find it peculiar at times. I have people ask me what job it is God wants them to take, whether God wants them to get a tattoo or not, what school they should go to, the list is enormous of things people are concerned about when it comes to what God’s will is for their lives. It is equally bewildering to me the things for which God’s will is clearly set out, for which these same people show no concern what so ever: baptizing your children and bringing them up in the faith, (Yes that includes getting off your lazy butt and dragging your kids into church on Sunday morning.); Divorce is another one, God is clear about valid reasons for divorce, your husband working too much may be reason to go to counseling, it is not reason for divorce, an affair with the baby sitter is, up an leaving you and refusing to come back is, him actually wanting to have sex with you after the age of forty because you are his wife and legally the babysitter is actually out of bounds is not reason for divorce, you might consider being thankful that he actually wants to have sex with you, and so what if he doesn’t look like the pool boy you have been chasing, you probably aren’t any Christy Brinkley yourself, (how’s that for an 80’s reference); Shacking up, its not just for children anymore….. Well really it is, God’s will is clear on it, and really girls, he doesn’t love you. If he wants to shack up, he doesn’t even know how to love you. Love has a few ingredients to it, it isn’t just the warm fuzzies in your gut. There is something called trust, that trust will commit to a lifelong relationship before asking you to move in, and it will do so in Vegas if it won’t at the altar. Quite frankly, I’d rather you get married in Vegas. God is pretty clear, he wants you married and faithful to one another, without keeping the door cracked open for an easy out just in case you get pregnant, or fat, or heaven forbid a girl prettier and more fun should happen to come along. You are worth that, you are worth a man’s commitment. God thinks so. And you deserve a man that will actually be a man, and commit to that, and not bale when things are a little tough. Of course then he deserves a woman too, a real one, one that won’t go chasing the pool boy, one that will raise the kids, and accompany him on a vacation here and there, and maybe even play the escort bit rather than the headache bit. You are worth it, and you are worth the forgiveness and patience it is going to take on both sides to make it work so that when you are 70, and the things that truly matter in life, like Grandchildren, come along you can enjoy them together rather than in separate states with different mates. You are worth it, this is why Jesus Christ died to redeem you, to forgive you, because he thinks you are worth his blood, his life, his death. Yes he considers you worth it. So you might consider yourself worth loving, and not settle for less than love.
How do I know this, because Jesus says the father does not will that any of these little ones should be lost, and you are one of those little ones. You might be grown now, but he doesn’t want to lose you in adult hood anymore than he wanted to lose you in childhood. It is why parents are asked to have their children baptized and told to bring them up in the faith. The will of God is actually quite clear in all of it. He spells it out quite literally, he wants all to be saved, that is everyone. And so he died, not just for a few people, but the whole world of which you are a part. Christ died for you, that you would have life, that you would be forgiven. You are precious in his sight. Know that.