Dear God, what's your plan for my life?

<--- that's how I (Sherann) look when I wonder about His will :) jk.





The story behind this post

After I get off work, I make it a point to go for a run.  I usually run about a mile and as I run, I pray.  Pray for people God has put on my heart or for the homes I pass by.  Anyway, as I was running yesterday I started to think about God's will (perhaps it's because I've been listening to a sermon series on this) and words just flooded my mind. When I got home, I got out my phone and started to type away.  So here's what I scribbled.

Dear God, what is Your plan for my life?

I don't know about you, but  I've asked this question ALL the time! I asked my spiritual leaders, professors, and pastors to help me discern God's path for my life. And as I look back, I noticed that this question would pop up when I'm at a crossroads or when I'm not enjoying my current job or field of study. In other words, when I'M NOT satisfied this must not be "God's will" or "He must be closing the doors." Do you know what I'm talking about? If you do, this is what I concluded... 
When did "feelings" ever dictate Gods will? Here's the truth... feelings come and go. It does not sustain.  Or perhaps you're in a season where you're wondering what to do after graduation or should I take this position? so you ask... 

"hey God! What's your plan for my life?!"

After so many years of asking and seeking, let me save you the trouble and answer this question for you. 

Ready?

Know Him.

Before you close your browser or stop reading this, just bare with me for a second.

We (unfortunately) focus so much on expecting God to reveal His plans with arrows or signs that point to "work here" or "go to this school" that we disregard who we are asking this question of. What if... 

God told you to go to India and spend the rest of your life there? Go to a junior college first and then transfer? Or take a position that offers less than your previous employer? And what if... you, my friend, didn't agree with what God revealed to you (after all you asked, right?)  You would start rationalizing this and say, "God would never send me there or to work for this company." Why? You asked and God told you where you need to go. Why would there be a sudden hesitation? My guess... because you never stopped to seek Him and know Him and His heart for you. How can you expect God to lead you when you don't even know His character? It's all too easy for us to sit back and wait for God to just hand over His plan without us having to do anything.  Meaning... you never bothered to pick up His Word or get on your knees in prayer.  

And what if... you and I started to know Him, to love Him and His Word?
 

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."- Jeremiah 29.13
 

Going back to my previous scenario... if God called you to India or to a junior college... Your attitude and your response would be different BECAUSE you believe in faith that no matter where God puts you, He will use you to make much of Him. As faithful followers of Christ, our goal is to point others towards Christ.  It's never about us.  It's all about Him.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3.30

  So what does it matter if you work at a fast food restaurant or sit in a cubicle? The question we should be asking is am I making much of Christ in my school? work? when I'm with my co-workers?

You know, if God always revealed His plan every time we asked... the scary part is that we wouldn't need a Savior.

So let me end with this. If you are asking this question today, get to know Him. And as you do, you will find that it's not the location or job that should take precedent, but your character that bleeds Jesus.

 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3.17)

soli deo gloria