At a crossroads: which path is the right one?

In seven weeks, this school year will already be over. Time passes so quickly that it doesn't feel like two years at all. As graduation approaches, the questions start to pile up - for ourselves and for the people around us: “What happens after graduation? Do you already have plans? You've already booked your plane tickets, haven't you?”

When clarity is lacking: making decisions with care

We face decisions every day - big and small, conscious and unconscious. From the first cup of coffee to life-changing decisions, our choices shape the course of our lives. Some are easy, others make us pause, weigh things up or challenge us to reach the next level.

„Every decision you make shapes your future.“  – Deepak Chopra

We are now approaching the end of one phase of our lives and the next is already waiting just around the corner. For some time now, tendencies have been visible as to how and where we would move on. However, we lacked the clarity to take the final step in one direction. When we took steps in the last few weeks in a direction that we were convinced was the right one, unrest made itself felt when we had almost booked the plane tickets. And this is one of the biggest lessons we have learned from our past and from other people. Taking a path where there is no peace has only ever caused us unnecessary problems and a lot of misunderstanding with other people. That's why the "lack of peace” was so helpful, as we realized that this would not be the right step, or at least a premature one.

A living, holy sacrifice pleasing to God

One of the keys to finding the right path is to live out the lifestyle of a living sacrifice that is pleasing to God. Supernatural peace and joy come when you and I are at the center of His will. But how is this possible? We found the answer in Romans 12:1 - A life of surrender. It means that we do not live according to our own wishes and desires, but let God be in control. This is not a one-time thing, but a lifestyle. Being a living sacrifice means raising the white flag daily. It is a decision to follow him in obedience, even if it costs us something. Sounds very much like Jesus' words that he chose when it comes to following him (Lk. 9 and Lk. 14).

Knowing God's will is the beginning, but by no means the end of the journey. Some Christians receive a personal revelation of what God's calling is for their lives. But very few rely on God to fulfill it. Instead, they rely on their own understanding - which often leads to a lot of confusion, many headaches and usually missing the mark.

One example from the Bible is Moses: he knew God's will for his life, but he tried to implement it in his own strength and at a time of his own choosing. This had far-reaching consequences - it cost him forty unnecessary years in the desert and the people of Israel thirty additional years in Egyptian bondage.

The same mistake is made by many people today. Living God's calling without the power of His Spirit, without His timing and His way, is a recipe for disaster!

Do we have a second chance?

A second, third, fourth, fifth ... I mean, praise God that he doesn't just leave us out in the cold because we missed it somewhere. But many Christians don't even realize that God has a plan - and that his timing plays a crucial role.

You will not discover or fulfill God's will for your life by chance. It doesn't just happen by chance or by the “sovereignty of God”. You must have a revelation of God's nature and His will - and actively seek Him to fulfill it.

The good news is that the Lord wants you to find and understand His will for your life - even more than you want it yourself. It is not difficult to recognize Him. But it requires commitment on your part. If you search for it with all your heart, as for a precious treasure, you will find it (Jeremiah 29:13).

As long as you can live your life without knowing God's will, you will. But if you want to recognize, follow and fulfil it more than anything else, then that is exactly what you will do.

Between convenience and calling

This is why we have a strong desire to take the right next step. One option would be to choose the easy and comfortable path. But is that also the path that God has prepared for us?

In the next blog, we will take you on our journey and show you how we made our decision. Because the decision has been made - and preparations are already in full swing in the background.