Discerning God's Will

How do we come to know God's will? I've grown up hearing that the Bible has all of the answers that I ever need. As indecisive as I can be, I often wish that were the case but it's not an entirely accurate statement. Can I open up the Bible and find the answer as to whether I should buy a Honda, Ford, or Maserati? Will the Bible tell me whether I should become a writer, a doctor, a teacher, or a janitor?  Can I open up the Bible and find out if I am supposed to marry Sally or Samantha? The Bible simply doesn't give an answer for every decision I will have to face, but the Bible does give us wisdom to help us make decisions. And in the gaps, that is where the Holy Spirit comes into play.

Jesus equated His followers to sheep. He  said that the sheep listen to his voice and he calls his sheep by name and leads them (John 10:3) Now that Jesus isn't here on earth, we have the Holy Spirit to help guide us.  That same voice Jesus was talking about in John 10 is available to us through the Holy Spirit.  It takes discipline learning to tune into the Holy Spirit, but God promises to lead and direct us. James 1:5 also assures us that "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." It doesn't say that God might give us wisdom, it assures and promises that He will.

I am learning not to be anxious. I am learning to be patient and persistent in my asking, and I am learning to be still, know that God is in control and listen for His response, because if I ask, He has guaranteed that He will give it.