In Church Ministry class this semester, we're studying the life of Bonhoeffer - the German pastor who was hanged for trying to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was a brilliant author, teacher, and student of God's Word. His life has impacted me - especially these past 3 weeks because I've had some incredibly important decisions to make, and I've been trying to answer that old, burned out question, "What's God's Will?" Can it be specific today - 2008, America, Baptist Bible College - to a 19 year old, middle class, pastoral ministry student?
I'm sure it can.
But how?
Bonhoeffer believed there were two ways to find God's Specific Will - the Word and the Community. The Word of God provides the framework - there are parameters, guidelines, principles, and commands that provide the "borders" for God's Will.
However...
The Community of God is a little tricky. Christians can be great people - even well-meaning, but their interpretations and expectations of my life can sometimes be extremely misguided. However - Bonhoeffer discouraged this skeptical attitude of Community which was a real challenge to me. Personally - I've struggled trusting the Community of Christ because of my background in church and relationships.
But that skepticism isn't from God.
It's from Satan.
God's design for His Body is to form a Community - a trusting, loving Community where we can share, confess, and encourage each other in our walks with Christ. So these past 3 weeks, I've been trying to reach out and utilize the power in Community as I try to find God's Specific Will for these decisions I need to make. The third element of prayer has rounded out the process. A week long visit with my dad didn't hurt either...
All that to say - God's Will is Specific - and it takes Faith.
Faith in God, His Word, Community and Prayer.
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