The will of God

So often in my thinking about spiritual realities I put the cart before the horse. I tend to read things backwards. I think it is about me doing things, like fulfilling the will of God, when it is really about GOD and what He wants. God has a will and it is GOOD. It is flowing out from Him towards us, all the people on the earth. The angels that announced that Jesus had been born to the astonished shepherds on that field outside Bethlehem were singing:

Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]. Luke 2:14

So being in God's will is not so much about me doing the right things and hope that I maybe will measure up to God's standards (but probably not, after all He is God and He has pretty high standards, but I can always do my best and then hope for his mercy...)

I imagine God's will as a stream of light that is flooding out from His face towards His children. It is all God's dreams for us, His love, His blessings, His goodness. I am in God's will when I am standing in that flood of light, looking God in the face, knowing that He is pleased with me. That is the place where I find rest and perfect peace. I cannot work myself into that place or achieve it in any way through my own efforts, it is all grace, a free gift through what Jesus has done for me! And once I find myself there it is inevitable that God's good will is going to start flowing out from my life, in my words and actions, as I am transformed by His great love for me. But then it is not about me trying to be good any longer, it just happens and it is all about God. He is doing a good work in me.

Numbers 6:24-26 (Amplified Bible)

24The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;

25The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;

26The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).