Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).
For a couple of years, I had found myself repeatedly asking God, “What is Your will for my life?” In the natural, it seemed immaterial because God had already given me the only things I’d ever wanted―to be a wife and mother and a writer. But deep inside, I felt there was more.
Then one night I “discovered” Romans 12:1-2. I was so excited as I reached the end of verse 2: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is―His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
I whispered to God, “I knew I could know what your will is! I knew I could know!” But my excitement lessened as I realized there were three stipulations for that promise. I thought I understood the last two, but what did it mean to offer my body as a living sacrifice?
Eventually, I understood that offering my body as a living sacrifice meant being willing to do, go, or be in this body whatever God asked of me―not just considering His will as one of my options. Sobered by this understanding, I wondered, did I really want to know?
Father, enlarge our desire not only to know your will, but also our desire to do it. Amen.