Leaving the Former Things Behind: Embracing God's Perfect Will
- Maybe ME
- May 8
- 4 min read
Wrestling with God: Letting Go of My Will to Embrace His Perfect Plan
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland..."— Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV)
When God Brings You to a Crossroad
This past weeks, I’ve felt as though I’ve been wrestling with God. Not out of rebellion, but out of a deep, aching hunger to understand where He is taking me. I feel myself standing at the edge of a season called "NEW"—a space where the road ahead is unclear, unfamiliar, and stretching me far beyond my comfort zone.
In this tension, I’ve found myself asking again and again: “Lord, what is Your will for me—not just any path, but Your perfect will?”
Because here’s the truth: we can move in what seems like the right direction, we can make good plans and even see success—but still miss God’s highest if we aren’t walking in His perfect will.
Many Plans... One Purpose
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”— Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
As humans, we’re natural planners. We dream, we design, we take action. Often, we even attach God’s name to those plans and ask Him to bless them. And because He is gracious, He does bless us—we are His children.
But there is a profound difference between God blessing your way and walking in His way.
That’s what I’m learning in this season. It’s not that God punishes our efforts or withholds His presence. But when we stop and truly seek His heart, we step into something deeper—alignment with His perfect, intentional, delight-filled plan.
The Hebrew Meaning of "God’s Will" – רָצוֹן (Ratzon)
In Hebrew, the word for “will” is רָצוֹן (ratzon), and it’s far richer than our English translation implies. It means:
Delight
Pleasure
Goodwill
Desire aligned with purpose
Ratzon isn’t just about rules or rigid outcomes. It’s the deep pleasure of God in seeing His children walk in alignment with what He created them for. It reflects not just His instruction—but His joy.
When Scripture talks about “the will of God,” it’s not pointing to obligation—it’s pointing to the place of blessing, favor, and purpose. God’s will (ratzon) is where heaven and earth meet in your life—where His dreams for you become your reality.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."— Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)
That word delights? It echoes the concept of ratzon. God takes joy in ordering your steps—if you let Him.
The Danger of Self-Directed Paths
“There is a way that appears to be right,but in the end it leads to death.”— Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
Sometimes we step into paths that seem right, but they aren’t God’s best. These paths may not be sinful or destructive on the surface, but they can quietly pull us away from God's highest for us. We end up striving, drained, or stuck—even if we’ve “done everything right.”
That’s the danger of leaning on our understanding instead of trusting His voice (Proverbs 3:5–6).
The Wilderness as a Place of Will Alignment
"I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."— Isaiah 43:19
The wilderness isn’t always punishment—it’s often preparation. God uses these seasons to strip away the noise, the distractions, and even our assumptions about what we think we’re called to do.
In the wilderness:
He reorders our desires
He teaches us to listen
He recalibrates our hearts
He creates space for ratzon—His will—to be received
God’s Will Is Not Always Comfortable—But It’s Always Good
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”— Romans 12:2 (NIV)
This verse gives us the roadmap: transformation leads to discernment.
When we renew our minds—when we let go of cultural pressures, old thought patterns, and our own agendas—we begin to perceive the will of God. And what does Paul say about His will? It’s not just good—it’s pleasing and perfect.
But notice, it doesn’t say “easy.” God’s perfect will often requires surrender. It may mean letting go of something good to make room for what’s best.
So What Do We Do?
If you, like me, are wrestling with God in this season, I encourage you to do these three things:
Pause and Seek Don’t rush to act. Create space to hear from God. Ask honestly: “Is this my will—or Yours, Lord?”
Surrender the Familiar The past may feel comfortable, but it can’t carry you into your future. Let go of what was so you can embrace what will be.
Walk by Faith, Not Fear You may not see the full picture, but take the next step in obedience. God will meet you there—with direction, peace, and provision.
A Personal Prayer for God’s Will
Father, I lay down my plans. I open my hands to Your perfect will—Your ratzon. I trust that what You have for me is not only good, but deeply joyful and perfectly timed. Even when I don’t understand the way, I choose to walk by faith. Make a way in my wilderness, and streams in every dry place. Let my life align with Your delight. In Jesus' name, Amen.
God will always love and bless His children. But there is a special kind of peace, power, and fulfilment that comes when you walk in His ratzon—His will, His joy, His purpose.
Don’t settle for a good life when God is offering you His best.
Even now, a new thing is springing up.
Can you perceive it?
📖 Scriptures for Further Meditation:
Isaiah 43:18–21
Proverbs 3:5–6
Romans 12:1–2
Psalm 37:23–24
Proverbs 16:9
Jeremiah 29:11–13
Ephesians 2:10
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