Many people are eager to know God’s specific will for their lives: what job they should take, where they should live, who they should marry, what investments they should make. And yet the majority of these people are not seeking God’s overall will for their lives – the will He has already revealed to us in His Word.

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
 

We shouldn’t only be seeking God’s specific will for our lives without seeking His overall will for our lives as revealed in His Word. God’s Word reveals His will. For example, it is God will that we are always joyful, that we’re always praying (talking to God) and that we’re people marked by thanksgiving and praise to God. Sadly, many Christians moan more than they do praise, only talk to God when they need something and certainly aren’t full of joy (we should be the happiest people on earth).  

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV
 

God’s Word reveals that it’s His will for us to abstain from sexual immorality. Many believers ignore God’s general will for their lives in this area (and bank on God’s grace), but they are interested in what job they should take or who they should marry. Seeking God’s specific will above His general will as revealed in His Word is the result of incorrect priorities.

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
 

In Jeremiah 29:11, God speaks of His good plans for His people: plans of prosperity, no harm and a future filled with hope. God doesn’t tell us to seek this great future. He tells us to seek Him. God’s primary will for your life is to have relationship with Him (to seek Him). One of the ways we seek Him is by studying the Word and coming to know His heart and His will (general) for us. The better we know Him and His Word, the easier it will be for us to discern His specific will at certain stages of our lives. But it starts with the right priority: seeking Him.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”
Matthew 6:33 HCSB
 

Our main priority in life should be seeking God first, and seeking His way of doing things. When we follow God’s divine order, His divine blessings flow without effort. His divine order starts with relationship with Him first and above all; everything else flows from that. We don’t seek after blessing – we seek the Blesser. We don’t seek healing – we seek the Healer. We don’t seek provision – we seek the Provider. We seek the Giver, not the gifts. We will not enjoy God’s blessings as much as we could if we aren’t enjoying relationship with Him.

As you seek God and grow in relationship with Him, you will grow in discerning what His will is for your life. Don’t neglect His general will for your life, because if you do, you will not be able to effectively follow and enjoy His specific will for you. It only works if you seek Him first.