When I was in my senior year of high school, I struggled to decide which college course to take. I prayed earnestly for wisdom and direction, desperate to know God’s will for that season of my life.

In late 2019, I again found myself seeking God’s direction—this time about whether to accept an invitation to serve at CBCP or remain in my home church. I was discerning God’s will for both my career and ministry. It was a significant decision, and I didn’t want to take it lightly.

These and many other moments have led me to ask: Is it really possible to know God’s will for our lives? Maybe you’ve asked the same question. Maybe, like me, you’re worried, What if I get it wrong? These are valid and important questions—ones that deserve our thoughtful attention.

In Mark 4:1–33, Jesus teaches the crowds through a series of parables. He begins with a call to listen carefully, signaling that what He’s about to say requires special attention. After the first two parables, He repeats the phrase, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Clearly, Jesus doesn’t want His listeners to miss what He’s teaching.

Mark then tells us that Jesus explains the first parable to the Twelve and a few others who stayed behind to ask about it. Perhaps the parable stirred something in them—curiosity, hunger, or even confusion—that made them want to know more. Unlike the rest of the crowd, who simply heard and went home, these few listened deeply and acted on what they heard by drawing near to Jesus for further understanding.

Then Jesus makes a striking statement: “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything is in parables…” He’s referring to those who didn’t stay to seek more from Him. For them, everything remains veiled and mysterious. In other words, if you remain at a distance, Jesus remains unclear. You can’t truly know His heart or His purposes.

Jesus taught in parables not to confuse, but to invite. His parables were designed to lead people to Himself—to provoke questions, stir hearts, and draw people into deeper relationships. One Bible commentator puts it this way:

“God’s self-revelation is veiled in order that people may have the space to make a personal decision. A true turning to God, or repentance, is made possible by the inward enabling of the Holy Spirit—but would be made impossible by the external compulsion of a direct and overwhelming manifestation of God’s majesty. The revelation is veiled for the sake of man’s freedom to believe.”

So how does this relate to discovering God’s will?

It begins with coming to Jesus and hearing more from Him. Just as with the parables, discerning God’s will starts with knowing Jesus. The better question isn’t “What if I get it wrong?” but “Do I truly know Jesus?” When we understand more of His character and purposes, we are better equipped to respond in faith and obedience.

Our search for God’s will is not meant to lead us into fear or paralysis, but to draw us closer to Jesus—to seek His voice, wrestle with His Word, and be changed by His presence. As we keep coming to Him, we will gain greater clarity about His will for our lives. Our capacity to discern and receive will grow as we pay closer attention to Him.

But if we do not listen—if we remain passive or distracted—Jesus warns that even what little we have may be lost. The call, then, is to lean in. To seek. To listen. And to keep coming to the One who still speaks.

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