This may be why God hasn’t answered your prayer…

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. (1 Corinthians 7:19-21)

My pastor Chris Basham offers an analogy about God’s will that I love. Imagine you set up a backyard full of activities for your kids—a pool, a swingset, monkey bars, a trampoline, a football. You tell them they’re free to play with anything they like, as long as they stay inside the fence, because beyond it lies a pond filled with venomous snakes.

Now imagine your kids keep asking, Can I throw the football? At some point, you’d say, Of course! I wouldn’t have put it there if I didn’t want you to enjoy it.

Many of us act like those kids—constantly asking God for permission to do things he has already permitted. And that’s precisely what Paul addresses in today’s passage.

The Corinthians, young in their faith, were asking: Should we be circumcised? Should we change jobs? Paul’s response? It doesn’t matter. “Keeping God’s commands is what counts.” That is his “will” as we saw last week. If all of your options are within the fence of obedience to God’s commands, you’re free to choose.

Paul’s words bring me to the second truth for discerning God’s will for your work…

Truth #2: God’s will is that his children have free will within the boundaries of his commands. 

This may explain why you sometimes don’t hear a clear answer from the Lord when weighing two equally God-honoring choices. God just might not have an opinion. It’s not that he doesn’t care—he simply might be delighting in your freedom.

Extending my pastor’s analogy, imagine your kids ask not for your permission per se but for your opinion—Should I swim in the pool or jump on the trampoline? Your response would likely be, You choose! As long as you stay in the fence and want me with you, I’ll be thrilled.

Let me be clear: You very well may hear a clear answer from the Lord regarding the decision you have to make. But maybe God’s lack of an answer is his answer: You are my child. As long as you stay within the boundary of my commands, you are safe and free.

Paul’s words just a few chapters after today’s passage are instructive here: “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In other words, if your motivation as you make decisions is “the glory of God” you are free to do “whatever.” Glorify him today by choosing freely within the boundaries of his commands.