One of the most famous prayers from Scripture is the one known as the Lord’s prayer. Chances are you can recite it by heart.  It starts out, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. It’s that last phrase I want to draw attention to, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Most of us would say we want to know and do God’s will for our life. Recently I’ve been reminded that, although I do desire to follow God’s will the best I can, I can find myself at times doing so in my way versus God’s way.

The Issue:

What I mean is that as a husband, father, child of God, coach, teacher, friend, automobile drive or whatever other role I have, I want to show up knowing this is His will for me. The gap that I’ve noticed is that sometimes I don’t show up His way.

Let’s Unpack This:

There is a chart that I’ve come across recently which has been the catalyst for this thought. The chart shows “Self-Will” vs. “God’s Will” although I think it is more useful to title the two lists as “Self’s-Way” vs. “God’s Way”. For example, when I’m living out one of the roles mentioned above:

• Am I doing so in a self-seeking manner or with a genuine care for the other person?
• Am I showing up as inconsiderate or considerate?
• Am I impatient and intolerant or patient and tolerant?
• Am I envious or grateful?
• Am I doing so with fear and doubt, trying to manage outcomes or faith that God has the outcome under control?

*The list is longer than these I’ve mentioned but you get the idea.

At the end of the day I take the list and discern where I’m showing up God’s way vs. Self’s way. I’m thankful and encouraged when I see God’s way bearing good fruit. I acknowledge when Self was in charge and discern what was behind that. I seek forgiveness and make reconciliation, if needed.

What I don’t do is try to change on my own! Self can’t change self. Self can only change through surrender of the self-way and making a definite choice to embrace God’s way in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What About You?

Where do you find yourself living God’s way? Self-way? What works for examining yourself regularly and closing the gaps?

I’d love to hear your story so leave a comment below. If this resonates with you and you’d like talk more about this topic please schedule a 15-minute call and we can explore this together.