Once you begin following Jesus, it doesn’t take long before the question hits: What’s God’s will for my life?
Sermons are preached about it. Entire books are written about it. And yet, for many Christians, it still feels like a mystery — something hidden behind the curtain, waiting to be uncovered through just the right prayer, feeling or sign.
But what if that whole approach misses the point?
Pastor and author Kevin DeYoung argues that we’ve overcomplicated something God has already made clear. In his book Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will, DeYoung says, “Does God have a secret will of direction that He expects us to figure out before we do anything? The answer is no.”
According to DeYoung, God’s will isn’t a puzzle to solve or a code to crack. It’s a way of living that flows out of faith, wisdom and obedience.
It isn’t always something unpleasant
Many of us grew up believing God’s will must be the hardest or least enjoyable option — as if He’s waiting to assign us to the thing we dread most. But that view misunderstands both God’s character and how His will actually works.
“The most important decision we face is the daily decision to live for Christ and die to self,” DeYoung says. “So go marry someone, provided you’re equally yoked. Go get a job, provided it’s not wicked. Go live somewhere… But put aside the passivity and the quest for complete fulfillment and the preoccupation with the future, and for God’s sake start making some decisions in your life.”
In other words, following God’s will doesn’t mean waiting for a sign or suffering through misery. It means walking with Him daily, using the mind and freedom He’s given you, and trusting that He’s guiding you along the way.
DeYoung says, “God is not a Magic 8-Ball we shake up and peer into whenever we have a decision to make. He is a good God who gives us brains, shows us the way of obedience and invites us to take risks for Him.”
God’s will isn’t meant to make you miserable; it’s meant to make you more like Him. And when your heart is aligned with His, the things He calls you to do won’t feel like burdens — they’ll feel like purpose.
It isn’t always a surprise
We love the idea of big, cinematic moments — burning bushes, audible voices, divine nudges. But most of the time, God’s will doesn’t come as a revelation. It comes as a rhythm.
“Trusting in God’s will of decree is good. Following His will of desire is obedient. Waiting for His will of direction is a mess,” DeYoung says.
In other words, God’s will isn’t a secret plan you have to uncover; it’s already revealed in Scripture. His will is that you love Him, serve others, live wisely and reflect His character in everything you do.
“Simply put, God’s will is your growth in Christlikeness,” DeYoung says. “God’s will for your life is not very complicated.”
So instead of waiting for a perfect sign or an angelic voice, you can move forward with confidence, trusting that as you pursue what’s right, God will handle the rest.
It isn’t just God’s will
Many Christians think of “God’s will” and “my will” as opposing forces — as if every decision is a battle between what we want and what God wants. But the longer you walk with Him, the more those wills start to line up.
“He calls us to run hard after Him, His commands and His glory,” DeYoung says. “The decision to be in God’s will is not the choice between Memphis or Fargo, engineering or art. It’s the daily decision we face to seek God’s kingdom or ours, submit to His lordship or not.”
God’s will isn’t about controlling you. It’s about transforming you. He isn’t waiting to trick you into a wrong turn — He’s shaping you into someone who wants what He wants.
That’s why DeYoung says the real question isn’t What should I do with my life? but Who am I becoming as I live it?
The more your heart reflects His, the less you’ll fear missing His will. Because you’ll already be walking in it.
The will you’re looking for might already be happening
When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t hand them a detailed plan. He simply said, “Follow Me.” That invitation still stands.
“The end of the matter is this,” DeYoung says. “Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you’ll be walking in the will of God.”
It’s not about knowing the future — it’s about knowing Him.
God’s will isn’t a secret to decode. It’s an invitation to live wisely, faithfully and courageously right where you are. And maybe that’s the liberating truth we’ve been missing: if your eyes are fixed on Jesus, you don’t have to fear missing His will at all.
Because you’re already in it.