christianisrael recently posted this blog: 

Perhaps few things are more important than knowing the Lord's will for your life.  We could learn a few things from Mary, the mother of Jesus.

           Mary's journey was filled with: a) an announcement from Gabriel (not just any angel), b) a visit from shepherds, c) gifts from wise men, d) prophetic words from Simeon and Anna, e) surprises at the temple, f) public controversy and confirmation, then finally, g) her son's death and resurrection.  She stewarded the "plan" well, though she may not have fully understood it all.

           How did events from the past inform Mary about the future?  What signs should she have been looking for?  How did she know she was in the middle of His will?  These answers must have been difficult to come by, but they started with the simple response of this young Jewish handmaiden: "I am the Lord's servant," (Luke 1:38 NIV).

           Humility releases the grace of God (Proverbs 3:34).  Absolute vulnerability to the Creator and Sustainer of life opens unparalleled opportunities of discovery.  He has a plan for you—and if you could even imagine for a minute what the picture might look like, it would bring a smile, for it would reveal a future filled with hope!

--from a devotional letter by Glenn Burris 

I would like to add some comments:

I like this material from Glenn Burris. I really do! It brings out some good points to consider for anyone desiring to fulfill God’s will for their life. But may I add one point of disagreement?  I think there is something more important than knowing the Lord’s will for our life. And that is being in His will.  And actually, we don’t need to know His will, His plan, to be in it. In fact, knowing His will could actually make it harder for us to fulfill it! (Would it have been easier for Joseph to fulfill God’s plan for him if he had know he was going to be sold into slavery and then later thrown into prison?)

Let me insert here some words from George Warnock. He makes the point better than I do.  “Just here, I would remind God's chosen ones, and especially the younger ones who are zealous for God. Do not try to get some kind of a 'plan' from God for your life, so you can start working on it! If you work on your plan, you will very likely spoil it! Or God may spoil it for you! You need only to know that God has a plan for your life, get to know His voice, do His will today and every day, and commit yourself into the hands of a loving God, and a very capable Predestinator. As you walk in God's will, you cannot miss God's intention for your life. And as you present yourself to Him a 'living sacrifice' -- you will learn to walk in His ways, and come to know His voice more clearly.”

Present ourselves a living sacrifice – and then trust God that He will accept that sacrifice and that He does have a plan for it – a grand and glorious plan – and that He will, indeed, fulfill that plan.  No matter what our present circumstances look like! No matter what happens, don’t withdraw that sacrificial offering! Leave it all in His hands. Trust Him. Believe Him. Faith in Him. That’s what it takes, that’s what He’s looking for. The unfolding of our life – that’s been given to Him – will reveal (“prove”) what His perfect will for us is. Let our response be the same as Mary’s:  “I am the Lord’s servant.”