I have written a blog or two in the past addressing the issue of worship and how the effectiveness of it depends on our motivations. Motivations, for instance, explain how two people can be sitting in the same worship service where only one of them gets anything out of it.

In Erwin McManus' book, The Barbarian Way, he addresses two motivations, both of which look the same outwardly, but are drastically different from each other internally:

Shepherding is that strangely wonderful, yet painful experience we all have need of. Still, when we read in Psalm 23 about the Lord being our Shepherd, we think immediately of provision, protection, peace, and any number of adjectives that have to do with comfort.

While comfort is certainly a benefit of serving the Lord, we need to remember that comfort isn't the Lord's ultimate goal for us. Rather, it is learning to be comfortable even in the midst of uncomfortable situations. Such comfort doesn't come from a denial of our circumstances, or from working really hard to achieve the comfort we desire. Rather, it comes from knowing the One who is the source of all comfort.

November is traditionally the month we're supposed to be introspective; where we attempt to be purposeful in remembering what we have to be thankful for; that is, if we're not too distracted by all of the pre-Christmas pomp which calls to us each year to look past Thanksgiving.

For some, this is a painful time of year. Losses we've encountered can certainly cause us to wonder how we'll be able to make it. During such times, it can be challenging to remain thankful in the midst of trial.

Trials are odd things. While some are self-inflicted, others are allowed by God. In both cases, if we'll submit to God and let Him do what He wants through these situations, good can still come from it.

We ask ourselves all kinds of questions every day: "did I remember to put the toilet seat down" (especially before going to bed); "did I lower the garage door as I pulled out of the driveway for work today", etc.

Then, there are deeper questions: "is there life elsewhere in the universe" (no, family reunions don't count); "what purpose does my life have"; "is there a God, and if so, what is He like?"

But there is one question I believe we often fail to ask; and that is, "what is the will of God for my life?"