Cant seem to figure it out

[tootall68]

I'm a fairly new Christian. I had a very shaky past and we don't have to get into all that just know that I was a bad dude. When I finally dropped my pride and let the lord enter my life I done a complete 180. Since the day I got saved I've had this burning desire to do everything ti glorify God. I pray about everything, I keep my nose in a bible, and I try to witness to someone every day. For a while everything was great. I felt like I was doin good things for God but now I feel like what I'm doing isn't enough. That fire inside of me just gets hotter and hotter and now I don't have a clue what to do. I keep trying to figure out what God wants me to do but let's be honest he don't exactly write the answers in the stars for you. I guess my question is should I be patient and just see what happens or what?

 

[seashale76]

God bless you! I understand. Keep persevering in prayer, it will help. Sometimes, we should be doing more. Lent is a good time to draw nearer to God.

Here are some helpful prayer resources for you:
P r a y e r
Let us
Abbreviated Prayerbook
Prayer for the Living
The Message of the Lord's Prayer

Lent is also a good time to visit an Orthodox Church if you haven't done so before.

Learn about Orthodox Christianity:
OCA - The Orthodox Faith

Find an Orthodox Church:
Orthodoxy in America

 

[paul1149]

Tootall, it's hard for me to say. I know the feeling of “divine dissatisfaction”, but what to do about it is not always plain. Do we pray harder, or wait patiently?

I think times like this can be for the purpose of purification. They remind us that it is not our strength or works that will establish the Kingdom, but God's:

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. -Zech 4:6
​

I would say keep pressing in fervently, but also listen expectantly, in a way that allows God to answer you in the way He desires. He might have a change in direction in mind, or a new way of doing things, that preoccupation with full-on power would never reveal.

It reminds me of when the Israelites crossed the Jordan. The Lord told them to follow the Ark of the Covenant, but to do so at a certain distance. He wanted them to take in the lay of the land as well as follow Him. That way they would gain wisdom in how to possess the land.

Just some reflections. I would suggest you approach the Lord on it, and wait patiently for His answer. He has promised to guide us, and this looks like a great opportunity to grow in dynamic faith.

 

[heymikey80]

Let God pick your speed. Push the fire within you too hard and it'll go faster than God does.

God will get to everything -- but God won't get to everything just now.

Maybe God's starting out now with the lesson in patience, too. Probably the most frustrating lesson to learn, I know.

 

[Goodbook]

Hey tootall68

Patience is something God wants us to learn as well..rest assured God has a plan for you and He'll let you know in His time. Sometimes we feel like we have to DO things all the time (some churches encourage all this endless activity) but a lot of the time God is working on our CHARACTER to perfect us rather than have us rush and DO things for him that WE think pleases him. He's not a slave driver! Another thing is then we try and figure stuff out but God wants us to trust him that he's got things figured out for us.

Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Keep reading his word and praying and waiting on him..and thank him for saving you. Have you written your testimony? There's a place on here where you can write it, this will encourage new believers coming on to this site and can help others, I know the written testimonies of believers definitely helped me when I was wary of becoming a christian. These testimonies are inspiring and glorify God. Don't feel ashamed that you were once a bad dude, we all were once like that..thank God we are saved! But maybe writing about your experience can help others who were in a similar situation to yours.

Romans 5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

[tootall68]

After I posted this thread yesterday things sort of turned around for me. A bunch of preachers is having a meeting tonight to discuss a new mission that's fixing to be started.Two of them called my wife asking her to get me to come. My bible studies also changed. I didn't really have anything to study so I've just been reading the book of Matthew. Last night I started writings out my own little devotion. It's a 23 day study on the characteristics of a Christian. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and God bless yal.

 

[childofGod31]

I'm a fairly new Christian. I had a very shaky past and we don't have to get into all that just know that I was a bad dude. When I finally dropped my pride and let the lord enter my life I done a complete 180. Since the day I got saved I've had this burning desire to do everything ti glorify God. I pray about everything, I keep my nose in a bible, and I try to witness to someone every day. For a while everything was great. I felt like I was doin good things for God but now I feel like what I'm doing isn't enough. That fire inside of me just gets hotter and hotter and now I don't have a clue what to do. I keep trying to figure out what God wants me to do but let's be honest he don't exactly write the answers in the stars for you. I guess my question is should I be patient and just see what happens or what?

Yes, keep praying, keep studying and reading stuff and wait. But be open to opportunities. They might not be what you expected. Be open minded and responsive. Listen to your heart. Whenever you feel something (like you want to do this or that) just follow that desire and do it.

I've noticed that sometimes God might use us without disclosing to us the entire plan. So you might write one line to somebody, while God has three other people do other things for this person and then, altogether you helped this person, but you were not aware of it. You felt that what you did was too small to help.

Do everything even if it's small. Each small thing might bring you a measure of satisfaction. And will keep your fires burning.