On knowing God's will - a graphical representation of my view

Explanation:

Three rows:

• Inputs: Opportunities, Interests, Circumstances, Limitations, Resources, Talents / Abilities (also giftedness)
• "The process" box: Mindful of God (Matthew 22:37, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind")
• Outputs: Valid, Christ-honoring choices

Example: HS graduate who:

• Interest: Has an interest in being a policeman
• Circumstances: Lives in US, Father was in the USMC, Uncle is a State Trooper. Athletic in HS
• Limitations: No outward physical limitations. Family has financial limitations.
• Opportunities / Options: Local community college / "The U" / Military service in various branches / Bible college that would mean dorm living and private college tuition
• Resources: Already mentioned financial limitations. But he would probably be eligible for Pell grants, et cetera
• Talents / Abilities: Hunts with his Father / outdoorsman
• Valid Christ-honoring outcomes / choices:
  • Join the Air Force (or another branch). MOS = military police
  • College: Community College / Bible College / "The U" all valid choices

A good book on the subject: Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View

On waiting for God "to speak"

Why Is That Christian Dressed Up Like a Psychic?

Excerpts:

If you believe that God speaks through how you feel, the only argument you have is that you feel God speaks through how you feel. This is an argument from silence, a logical fallacy; and since no one can feel your feelings, you have no accountability. It’s extremely dangerous!

...

No Christian prays about every single decision they make on earth, and they definitely don’t wait for God to speak to them before they make all the decisions they must make in a given day. They instead only pray about what they deem are “big decisions.” The problem is that if God has given you enough Scripture and wisdom to make “small” decisions, then He has given you enough revelation and wisdom to make big decisions as well.

...

Knowledge comes before feelings and emotions. Whenever you are saved, you repent because you know that you have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Feelings of sorrow often accompany such knowledge; however, the knowledge comes first. We must assume as well then that if God is going to speak to us beyond the Bible (which He doesn’t), that He’s going to get to our hearts through our heads.

Comment: I frankly am sicked by Christians who use phraseology like "God told me to" or "I am waiting for God to tell me what to do". The article is very good!