Looking for Donkeys, Finding Destiny

Opening Framework:

Men’s Conference Transition

Series Intro: Ever Wonder Why

Message Theme: How do I know God’s will for my life?

Message Title: Looking for Donkeys, Finding Destiny

ME: Katrina / Danny / & The 5 Year Plan

We didnt have a plan

IM NOT AGAINST PLANNING… Hear me out. I’m against the pressure that you have to ALWAYS have everything perfectly planned out.

We did not know every job we would have. We did not know every door God would open. We did not know every challenge we would walk through. We did not know what ministry would look like. We did not know all the steps.

But God was guiding us! As we tried to stay close to Him, as we tried to fulfill the great commission, as we tried to obey God. He guided us.

And that’s important because the #1 people ask me is… How do I know God’s will for my life?

We: All of us have wondered What is God’s will for my life?

We think God’s will is like a hidden key somewhere that we need to find. Somewhere out there is the perfect decision, perfect job, perfect city, etc… and if we miss it… GAME OVER.

It makes us start to overthink everything… Should I say yes? Should I say no? Should I go? Should I stay? Is this an open door? Is this a closed door?

The problem is we can get so obsessed about the future that we get stuck in the present.

Scripture shows us a different way to look at life and God’s will…

There’s God’s Sovereign Will - What God’s going to do NO MATTER WHAT because He’s God.

There’s God’s Moral Will - What God has already told us to do in his word. Right and wrong. What God has already revealed in His word.

Then their’s God’s Unique Will - Where our questions pop up. Your personal direction.

….

God’s sovereign will reminds me that He is in control

God’s moral will shows me how to live

God’s unique will is discovered as I walk closely to Him

God: God’s will for your life is… Whatever.

Moment 1 - Whatever

Colossians 3:23 - Pause. God cares about every detail of our life. He does. But scripture shows us that God puts more emphasis on the HOW & WHY… instead of the WHAT we do.

Paul’s statement is comforting and challenging… Whatever you do. It’s not one missed opportunity and GAME OVER.

BUT… Whatever you do… Work School Parenting Daily Normal Things Whatever you do… Do it for the Lord. That’s God’s will.

God cares about everything. But the main focus isn’t always WHAT you do… It’s HOW & WHY you do it.

So before we ask God what is next… let’s be faithful with what is right in front of us.

Katrina re-organizing my house

Moment 2 - Saul comes about Donkeys (Today’s Main Text)

1 Samuel 9:19-20 - Give context. Then the Donkey’s are fine. But theres something else going on.

Saul is looking for Donkeys. He’s not wondering if he’s going to find his destiny today. He’s doing a normal everyday thing.

His donkey’s are missing and he goes to the the prophet seeking help in the everyday thing. We know what that’s like… God… What about this job? God… What about a relationship? God… What about this bill? God… What about this problem?

THOSE THINGS MATTER. God’s not annoyed. Go to God with your everyday problems.

Samuels Answer is essentially - “God knows what you came here for. God’s got this. BUT… there’s something else going on too.

God guides your future while you are seeking Him about your present.

Moment 3 - The spirit changes Saul

1 Samuel 10:6 - The spirit of God is what changed Saul. The Holy Spirit is what changes you from life to death…. AND the spirit of God is what changes you into who you will become in the future.

You don’t have to worry… Where will I live? What job will I have? Who will I marry?

Because God’s greater concern is who you are becoming in the process.

The spirit of God changes you more than the circumstances of your life do

Moment 4 - Do whatever your hand finds to do

1 Samuel 10:7 - After Saul seeks God, gets close to others, moves in the spirit… he can act. Because God is with him.

God says something shocking… When the situation arises… make the decision. WHY… Because everything prior will lead you to where you need to go.

We can even see this work opposite later in Saul’s life. WHEN HE ACTS in DISOBEDIENCE… he then makes the worst decisions. This is not permission to do whatever I want. This is confidence to act when I am walking with God.

We see this in Acts…

Acts 16:6-7 - When God is with you… the spirit will guide you ultimately. You don’t have to worry!

How I became a Pastor… Message to Ernie* SCREENSHOT

You do not need to know everything about tomorrow to move with God today

You: Some of you came in here today stressed about your future…

Your career Your marriage Your finances Your kids Your decisions Whatever it may be… Im NOT SAYING THOSE THINGS DONT MATTER…

They do matter. But I want to take pressure off of you today… You don’t have to have the whole thing figured out or wait for the heavens to open to start heading in a direction…

You read God’s word and see God’s heart You stay close to God in prayer You get advise from believers who love God You use common sense You stay faithful and obedient And as you do all of that…

Proverbs 16:9 - And as you do that… God will direct your steps.

We: Church we don’t have to have it all figured out

We don’t have to have everything figured out to join a group

We don’t have to have it all figured out to serve on a team

We don’t have to have it all figured out to be obedient to God

God guides the steps of those who walk closely with Him… so we have to keep walking closely to God.

Alter Call:

If you’ve been wrestling with any of this… if your spirit has been moving with any of this… take this opportunity to recenter yourself with God.