God’s goal for creating us is to be with us. He wanted us here to have a relationship with Him from now into forever. Yet, when we talk about seeking God’s will, what do we actually mean by that?
For years, I’ve been teaching and writing curriculums to help people discern their career calling and practically land a job aligned with it. But through all this, I realized something crucial: many of us are seeking God’s will not necessarily because we want to know Him but we want to make the right decision.
And by right, do we mean avoiding mistakes? Ensuring success? Protecting ourselves from hardship?
When we look at Scripture, even those who received clear, direct callings from God – Moses at the burning bush, Jonah, Jesus Himself – faced difficulties. Joseph didn’t feel called to Egypt. He was taken there as a slave. But in the end, God had a plan for him.
Whether it’s God’s revealed will (when He makes something clear) or His hidden will (which unfolds over time), following it doesn’t mean things will be easy. And if we expect a foolproof plan that guarantees success, we’re missing the point.
The Hidden Motives Behind Seeking God’s Will
At some point, we all need to ask ourselves: why am I seeking God’s will?
Do I want assurance that everything will go smoothly? Am I hoping for a guarantee of success? Am I afraid of failure or looking foolish?
I never want to discourage anyone from asking God for wisdom. He tells us to ask. But there’s also a point in our conversations with Him where we need to get honest about our motives.
“Lord, I’m afraid. I’m afraid You’ll ask me to do something hard. I’m afraid I’ll fail. I’m afraid of looking foolish.”
If you’ve ever felt this, you’re not alone. And these fears can quietly shape how we approach God’s will.
5 Ways We Approach God – And Only One Is Right
Sky Jethani’s book With completely changed how I see this topic. He lays out 5 postures we take toward God. 4 of them are half-truths, but only one reflects what God actually wants for all of us.
1. Life Over God: Trusting in Formulas Instead of Faith
This approach is all about control. It’s the belief that if we just follow the right principles, strategies, or steps, we can guarantee our success and security. Instead of developing a relationship with God, we rely on proven methods or best practices to get the outcome we want.
We see this in Christian circles all the time: If you just pray this way, read the Bible every morning, follow biblical financial principles, and make the right choices, then you will succeed. While wisdom is valuable, treating it like a formula removes faith from the equation.
The problem? Life doesn’t always work that way. Joseph followed God, and he was still thrown into slavery. Paul obeyed God, and he was still shipwrecked. Following a biblical “formula” doesn’t exempt us from hardship.
When we live over God, we start believing we don’t really need Him, we just need the right knowledge.
2. Life Under God: Obedience in Exchange for Blessings
This mindset reduces faith to a transaction: If I do what God asks, He will bless and protect me. If I don’t, He will punish me.
It sounds spiritual, but it turns faith into a cosmic exchange system. We obey not out of love but out of a desire for security. We think, If I follow God’s will exactly, then nothing bad will happen to me.
But what happens when suffering does come? Do we assume we must have done something wrong? Do we grow bitter, wondering why God isn’t holding up His end of the deal?
In reality, faith isn’t about controlling outcomes. Jesus followed God’s will perfectly, and it led Him to the cross. Yet, through that suffering came the greatest redemption in history.
3. Life for God: Finding Worth in Our Work Instead of Relationship
This one is so sneaky because it sounds right. We’re called to serve God, right? But here’s the trap: Instead of seeking God for Himself, we seek validation through what we do for Him.
This mindset is especially common in church culture. We start believing that the only meaningful life is one spent achieving big things for God – leading ministries, starting nonprofits, serving in vocational ministry.
We think: If I can just do more for God, I’ll finally feel valuable.
But what happens when we burn out? What happens when we realize we can’t do enough? This mindset subtly replaces relationship with performance. It makes our mission more important than our intimacy with God.
God didn’t create us just to be workers in His kingdom. He created us for a relationship. He wants us with Him more than He wants us doing things for Him.
4. Life from God: Seeking the Gifts But Not the Giver
This is where we primarily see God as a provider – someone to meet our needs and give us the life we want.
Now, let’s be clear: God loves to provide for us. Scripture is full of His promises to meet our needs. But when our relationship with Him is only about what we can get, it becomes empty.
It’s easy to fall into this trap when we’re seeking clarity in life. We pray, God, just tell me what to do so I can make the right decision. But what if God is more concerned with walking with us than just handing us a roadmap?
God isn’t just a means to an end. He is the end.
5. Life with God: The Relationship He Always Intended
This is the only approach that aligns with God’s heart: Living with Him. Seeking Him not for what He can do, but because we treasure Him.
It’s realizing that success isn’t found in making perfect decisions, getting a clear roadmap, or avoiding hardship. It’s found in knowing God, walking through every season, whether joyful or painful, with Him.
“God is your reward.”
If we truly believe this, then we can move forward in faith, even without clear answers. We can trust that whatever comes – good or bad – He is with us. And that is enough.
Final Thoughts
I want to end with this: If you’re realizing your motives for seeking God’s will aren’t 100% pure, welcome to being human.
Don’t let that realization push you into inaction, thinking, I won’t move until I’m sure my heart is right. God refines us as we go. What matters is that we seek Him, not just the answers He can give.
So ask yourself: Am I pursuing God’s will so that I can secure a future of ease and success? Or am I seeking Him, knowing that whatever comes – joy or hardship – He is with me?
If this hit home, I’d love for you to join the conversation, connect with me on Instagram, straight up send me an email, or book a free 1:1 career strategy call with me. You’re not alone in this. And no matter where you’re at in seeking God’s will, He is with you.
Listen to the full episode here.
