The majority of things that we do throughout the day are spontaneous or spur-of-the-moment decisions. What will we have for breakfast? What clothes will we wear to work? Will we have one or seven pieces of pizza? Most of the decisions that end up laying the foundation for our day are decisions that we don’t really put too much effort into making. Even if we stop and pray about these decisions, it is not likely that we can discern, in that moment, the exact will of God for the question that we are asking.
What about the other small percentage of decisions that seem massive? The life-altering decisions that may shape the rest of our lives? Should I change jobs? Who should I marry? How much money should I give? Which college should I go to? God must be clear on these situations, right?
The answer is, sometimes, no. But why? Because he is God, and he is in control. We are humans, and we are not in control.
It is the glory of God to conceal things…
— Proverbs 25:2
We are not capable of understanding or knowing all of the things that go into being God, and sometimes he prefers to carry out his will in a way that surprises and humbles us. But, still, why?
One reason that God does not give us specific answers or guidance to our difficult questions in life is that, often, he is more concerned about the transformation of our hearts. He wants us to be more focused on being Christ-like than finding answers to our questions.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
— Romans 12:2
This means that, often, the actual motives of our hearts, the renewal of our minds, is more clearly revealed through the difficulty in navigating through tough decisions. God knows that if his specific will were delivered to us every time we asked, we would become more consumed with what we do, rather than by what we love. We would begin to love God for his results, rather than just loving him. Donald Miller refers to this type of relationship with God as a “slot machine” God. When we need an answer to a tough question, we go pull the lever on the machine and wait for our answer.
God wants your heart, and he will get it by any means necessary, because he loves you that much.
But rest in this, God reveals to us everything we need to live godly lives (see 2 Peter 1:3). He is seeking worshippers over workers. And the more we pursue who Jesus is, the more our hearts’ desires will align with the desires of our Father.