What does the Bible actually say about God’s plan for your life? Does it say anything at all, or is everyone just left to figure it out on their own? The simple answer is yes, God DOES have a plan for your life! Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” I talked about how hardship is a part of life earlier this week. And while God does allow things to happen, you can see right here in the Bible that God does not wish you harm but hope!
We all experience rejection in life. It might even be one of your biggest fears. Rejection can turn into a positive thing when it reroutes you! Even Jesus was rejected. Isaiah 53:3: “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Don’t allow life’s disappointments to distract you or keep you from finding purpose. Jesus was rejected and had so much purpose—to be our Savior!
The first step to understanding God’s plan for your life is to accept the sacrifice that was made on your behalf. Without accepting Jesus, you can’t even reach God, and you certainly can’t understand your purpose in life. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). You experience a relationship with your heavenly Father when you accept His Son, and you understand your purpose in life when you submit yourself to His authority.
God isn’t interested in your abilities (which He gave you!) but in your availability to have a relationship with Him and answer the calling on your life. Once you have a real relationship with Him and your spiritual gifts are revealed, you can begin to understand your purpose. Some are called to specific career paths where they can use their gifts and share their faith in the workplace. Others are called to do missions and live non-traditional lives. But what if you don’t feel called to a specific field?
Understand that God will meet you right where you’re at, allowing you to use your gifts in any and every situation. “Everyday life” is full of opportunities to share God’s love with others. If God has put something on your heart, chase after it! If you don’t see your purpose clearly, serve God in all that you do with family, friends, and co-workers. When you surrender to God and admit that you don’t know what He has in your future but that you know He does have a future for you, things will start to fall into place. They may not happen in your timeframe, but they will happen.
Luke 10:27 reveals your true purpose in life. “He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Genuine love for God results in obedience, which results in fulfilled purpose.