The most important thing in the whole world is to know the will of God. It gives life meaning and purpose, which is necessary for a rich and full life. Animals can exist, but we must have purpose. How can we find it? E. Stanley Jones’ testimony helps me:
“When I was deciding the quest for my life’s work, I received a letter from a college president saying, ‘It is the will of the faculty, the will of the student body, the will of the townspeople, and, we believe, the will of God that you should teach in this college.’ At the same time I received a letter from a trusted friend saying, ‘I believe it is the will of God that you should go into evangelistic work in America.” Then a letter came from the Board of Missions saying, “It is our will to send you to India.’
“Here was a perfect traffic jam of wills! They were all second-hand, and I felt that I had a right to first-hand knowledge in such a crisis. Not that I should despise the opinions of friends in spiritual guidance, for God often guides through them, but obviously here they could not be depended on. So I took the letter from the board, went to my room, spread it out, and said, ‘Now Father, my life is not my own and I must answer this. Lead me and I’ll follow.’
“Very clearly the inner voice said, ‘It is India.’
“‘All right,’ I replied, ‘That settles it. It is India.’
“I arose to my knees and wrote at once, saying that I was ready. The inner voice did not fail me then. It has never failed me since.
“In many a crisis too intimate to spread on the pages of a book, I have looked to him to give me a clear lead. He has never failed to give me that lead sooner or later, and when he has given it, it has always turned out to be right. He has never let me down. I have let him down time and time again, but I find him utterly dependable. I am sure that outside of that will I cannot succeed; inside that will I cannot fail.” You have a right to first-hand information also. You can find it on your knees before God. Anyone with a willingness to do the will of God and an earnestness to pray as Jesus did can find wisdom to know the will of God.