There have been times in my life when I wanted to know exactly what God wanted me to do, where to go, which job to take, even silly little things like “should I buy this TV or the other one?” Those decisions would be a lot easier if God would just tell me, in a big booming voice, what to do: “GLEN. BUY THE SONY. IT IS THE BEST.”
I complained like this to one of my professors in seminary, Fred Norris. Norris is brilliant. He holds a Ph.D. from Yale. He’s published lots of books, difficult books, the type of books that only people with Ph.D.’s from Yale can understand. But Fred is also great fun at a party. He’s got a great sense of humor. Follows sports. Reads fun stuff, too.
One day, toward the end of my final semester, I was in his office seeking advice. I had a couple of job offers. Good churches, great ministries, fine places to live. I said, “How do I know what God wants me to do?” Norris laughed (he had this really LOUD laugh), and asked, “Mr. Miles, have you actually read the Bible while you have been in seminary? Are you really in my office asking: ‘What does God want you to do?’
” He went on: “Let’s get real clear here: God wants you to love your neighbor as yourself. According to Jesus you are to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Jesus also said that God expects us to feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, clothe the naked. Take either job, I don’t care. Go work for Quik Trip selling sodas and candy bars and gasoline but whatever you do don’t forget to love God, to love your neighbor and to care for the least of these.”
Dr. Norris was right. He wasn’t being overly simplistic. He wasn’t avoiding my concerns but he wanted me to think beyond my own little world. He wanted me to look past my worries and follow God’s simple and clear command to love.
When we ask, “what does God expect,” hidden in that question is the desire to see God, to hear God’s voice, to find God and know, really know, that God is alive and present in our lives. Because of that yearning, because of that desire, the authors of the Bible have left us glimpses and hints and clear indicators of where God is. John wrote, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and God’s love is made complete in us.” Jesus said, “Whatever you did for the least of these…you did for me.”
What does God expect? Well, not much really: Love God. Love neighbor. Care for the least of these. When you do, you may even see God.
Grace and peace to you,
-Glen
