Are You Fighting Against God's Will for Your Life? - The Crosswalk Devotional - April 25

Are You Fighting Against God's Will for Your Life?
By Michelle Lazurek

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” - Acts 5:38-39

During the years of my writing career, I have had doors open to me, and I've tried to knock down doors. Some of the doors I tried to knock down, I was successful in doing so. But there were others that no matter how hard I tried, nothing seemed to work. For example, I wanted to break into a particular magazine for an article I wanted to have published. I tried for years to get into that ministry, but to no avail. Eventually, I stopped because I didn't want to waste my precious time and resources or drain the editors for an opportunity that they didn't want me to have. 

However, years later, and with the help of a friend, I was able to finally break into that ministry. What a joy it was to receive that e-mail that said they would be honored to publish my article! While I'm unsure as to why God made me wait so many years to achieve that accomplishment, one thing is for sure: when I tried to achieve that accomplishment of my own will it came to nothing. However, when it was God's timing, he opened that door easily and clearly. 

In this passage, the soldiers came to check on the apostles, who had been jailed. Peter and his Apostles had been declaring that God raised Jesus from the dead. They proclaimed that the Apostles were there to continue the work of his Kingdom within the town. Of course, the Pharisees and people of the town didn't like them for this. The apostles were jailed for this reason. When the soldiers came to check on them, they were gone. Soldiers captured Peter and some other apostles and questioned them. Believing Peter was to blame for the Apostles’ departure, he sought to have him killed. But Gamaliel, an educated Pharisee, advised against this. He told the other Pharisees to leave them alone. Gamaliel understood that if Peter and his Apostles were merely proclaiming their own Gospel, it would come to nothing. People would not be saved, they would not be healed, and they would have no one to follow. However, if God was who he said he was, even a Pharisee understood there was nothing they could do to stop it. 

Consider a time in your life when you have tried to knock down doors in your own time. Perhaps it was to climb another rung on the corporate ladder in your career. Perhaps it was to have a baby or to get married by a certain age. Perhaps it was to buy a home or to acquire certain possessions to keep up with the Joneses. We all make plans for our lives. While there's nothing wrong with making plans, it is important to make sure we are walking in step with the Spirit. When we align ourselves with God's will, there is nothing that will stop us. When we yield our lives to God, his plans become our plans. Soon, the things we want to accomplish in life are in perfect step with God's will. God can raise people from the dead, release people from jail, and even bring dry bones back to life. There is nothing God can't do! However, if we choose to make our own plans and walk outside of God's will, no matter what we do, our plans will not come to fruition. It is important we walk in step with whatever God is doing, so that we will succeed because God is with us. 

Father, help us walk in step with your will. Help us not to make plans solely in our own will. Help us align our desires with your desires. Help us to know and act on your plans for our lives so that when you move to make those plans happen, people around us will know nothing can stop it. Amen. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

In what areas of your life have you fought against God’s plans? God can do anything; nothing is impossible. Is there something you are holding onto because you want to go ahead of God’s plans for you? 

Further Reading:
Colossians 3:23 

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Richard Felix 

Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother. She is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services and a certified writing coach. Her new children’s book Hall of Faith encourages kids to understand God can be trusted. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit 

The process of success is not hidden. It is on display for anyone to see. However, it is a daily grind that requires a great deal of work that is tedious and often uncomfortable. Successful people simply do the work. They embrace the grind and everything that comes with it. Ultimately, successful people understand this truth - Hope doesn’t produce change. Habits do! Everyone has the desire, but many lack the necessary discipline! That’s why today on The Built Different Podcast we have a very special guest who understands the importance of discipline and habits at a very high level. Don’t just focus on changing the thoughts in your head and the habits in your life, but also allow God to transform your heart from the inside out. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!