The Greatest Good

“Benefit or advantage to someone or something.”

- Dictionary definition of good

With God's wonderful timing I joined a Women's Christian Faith group and the topic of our discussion today was "Two Steps to Knowing Gods Will" a topic I have wrestled with for some time now.   The two steps to know God's will were to first admit that you need guidance through prayer and second to ask God in faith for directions.  The discussion sheet written by Rick Warren pointed out that we make many of our decisions without asking God for guidance, but he will always respond to our prayers.  During our discussions, I asked the other women "How does God communicate his will to you?"  I had to laugh when one woman said God shouts "NO" in her head, because two weeks earlier God had done the same thing to me.  Some of the women said that once they prayed, they could make a decision and a peace came over them.  One commented that when she had made decisions not guided by God, they ended in disaster.  She realized that when consulting God and followed his guidance she made decisions that prepared her for events yet to occur in her life.

I asked the faith group what is the end purpose of "God's Will?"  Most answered it was for their own and family's happiness and well being and to prepare for future challenges in their lives.   This week I posed the question to God and he answered me telling me his will is for "the greatest good."  

Because God knows all, following his will and direction will result in the "greatest good" which is impossible for us to see on our own volition.   In the past month when I was ready to move on from a job, God said no and asked me to wait.  I realized when he finally released me, that I had fulfilled his purpose for me and I was at peace.  God often uses us to plant seeds in others or fight spiritual battles that will blossom in the "greatest good" for others and us.  Sometimes fulfilling his will is not always easy, but when we are finished, God says "well done my servant" and will release us to a state of peace and well being.