Finding God’s Plan

Over the years I’ve had lots of conversations with people who were concerned about figuring out God’s plan for their life. Often, they would be frustrated or even anxious because they weren’t getting answers to their questions. But usually, the things they were so intently focused on were things like, where they should live, what career they should pursue, who they should marry, you know… the natural, physical, temporary things of this life. Jesus said the pagans run after all these things, but believers should seek first the kingdom of God ¹.

Finding God’s plan isn’t an intellectual endeavor, it starts with the desires of our heart. Are we more concerned with our physical life, or our spiritual life? Are we more focused on the immediate, or the eternal?

For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV)

Please read that again and take a moment to think about it. So often we are consumed with things that will only last a moment, when we should be focusing our heart on things that will endure for all eternity.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV)

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Our Christian culture seems to have an unhealthy focus on knowing God’s plan for their life. While the Bible does state that God has a plan for us, it’s presented quite differently from the way many people approach it. The following verse is often used to communicate that God has a wonderful plan for your life.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

This is a great verse, but two important aspects of this verse are often overlooked. First, the context. This verse is written to a people who have been conquered by a foreign army, driven from their homes, and taken to a foreign land where they are living in exile. Second, God says that he knows the plans he has for them. He doesn’t say that they know the plans or that he will explain the plans.  Rather than specifics, God shares his heart towards these people (and us), stating His intention to give his people a future and a hope. This is what we need to know; God has a plan! We need to be unmovable on this point, God knows the plan he has for us. But just as important, we need to be comfortable not knowing the details of the plan that God has.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39 ESV)

The most important aspect to finding God’s plan for your life, is to let go of your life. To truly put your life in God’s hands for him to do whatever he wants with it.

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The Bible talks far more about God leading us, than it does about God giving us a plan to follow. Scripture places a strong emphasis on being led by God.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalms 23:3 ESV)

This short verse is rich with valuable insight into God’s leading. He leads me. This is presented as something ongoing, something that happens as we go, rather than God giving us a map of the path and sending us on our way. He leads us in paths of righteousness. God’s primary goal is that we live righteously. This is far more important than the details of our personal life. And his main motivation for us to live righteously is that his name be honored by how we live.

For your name’s sake you lead me and guide me (Psa 31:3 ESV).

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Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. (Psalms 25:4-5 ESV)

This is much more than wanting to make the right choice in the moment. This is about learning to live according to God’s ways. Scripture tells us that our ways are not God’s ways, and they’re not even close ². God’s leading will touch every aspect of our life, resulting in a life that reflects God’s ways.

And the most challenging thing by far is to be willing to wait. Waiting for as long as is needed. And even in the waiting, to be confident and assured that God desires to lead us, and He is faithful to lead us as we learn to be dependent and attentive to him. Again, it’s all about letting go.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. (Psalms 25:9 ESV)

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Abraham is more than just another prominent figure in the Old Testament. He is the starting place of God choosing a people to be His own ³, and he is presented many times in the New Testament as a prime example of faith. By examining God’s interactions with Abraham, we can see foundational truths about how God’s leading works.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 12:1 ESV)

This is God’s initial calling of Abraham. God didn’t give Abraham a map or a detailed plan. He gave him amazing promises and said I will show you.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8 ESV)

Abraham is a powerful example of trusting and surrendering to God, even when he knew very little of the details involved. The first step that God required of him was to leave his country, his kindred, and his father’s house. Before he could go, he had to leave. He had to leave the familiar. As believers, we need to leave the familiarity of depending on human plans and strategies. Complex, far-reaching plans are what businesses depend on. But the body of Christ is something altogether different. It is a spiritual marvel that is directly connected to Jesus as the head and designed to be led by Him in all things ⁴.

God isn’t big on giving out five-year plans, because He doesn’t want us locked in on a plan or following a plan. God wants us to follow Him, to be attentive to Him, dependent on Him, and especially, willing to wait on Him. If God has something large and complicated for us to do, then certainly He will give us the details needed to complete the task. But for the most part, fulfilling God’s plan for our lives is a matter of simply walking out our faith on a daily basis.

So, the goal isn’t to figure out God’s plan for your life. The goal is to learn to walk with God. To be confident that He has a plan, and trust Him to lead you in His plan, and work out His purposes for you.

 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. (Psalms 57:2 ESV)

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Footnotes:

1. Matthew 6:32-33 ESV For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
2. Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
3. Romans 4:1 ESV What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh?
4. Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.