Just What is God's Will?

The program suggests that we ask for the knowledge of God's will for us.

I don't struggle with this concept, but I have been trying to refine my understanding of it. Last week a friend shared, and I paraphrase, that he wished he could accept that God cares and watches out for all our actions and thoughts, etc. That got me thinking, which isn't as dangerous a proposition as it used to be. What came to my mind was a visual: I may be moving through my day making conscious decisions, but along the way I make movements that are not conscious--automatic reactions learned from life's experiences. I may decide to drive to a meeting and along the way I am singing along to something on the cd player while my right hand automatically shifts gears. I may not notice that I am shifting gears until I mistakenly shift from fourth to third, in which case my mind immediately takes over, depresses the clutch and shifts into fifth.

That's how I visualize God's will. When I am tuned into it I move automatically, when I make a little mistake I get some attention from a higher plane and if I am alert enough I can make the corrections. Sometimes, if the situation is serious, or if I have earned enough points, God will take over to set things right or at least smack my head to get my attention so I can finish the task or learn the lesson.

There is another analogy I heard once. Staying in the middle of the stream, where the water flows freely will let me float along unencumbered. If I veer off to the right or left I may get snagged by debris, undergrowth, fallen trees or big giant rocks. I would then have to struggle to get back to the middle of the flow. When my inner tube is fully inflated and I am riding the middle currents, I am on track and all seems right with the world. I can enjoy the passing scenery and if I see ahead a peaceful spot on shore I can navigate around the debris and arrive safely, all the while staying peaceful, carrying the feeling of being centered with me.