What Is God's Plan for My Life?Намуна

Knowing God’s will

I had a great plan laid out for my life. I was 23, a year out of college, and everything was on track. Then a mentor challenged me to consider joining an international marriage and family ministry.

My gut said, “No.”

As a young single, joining a marriage ministry made little sense. But he was insistent.

“Rob, I really think you need to pray about this.”

As I did, I began to wrestle with the all-consuming question: What is God’s plan for my life?

This is likely one of the most asked questions by western Christians today. One, you may be wondering yourself. Born out of a sincere desire to follow and obey God, it touches on every area of life - career, marriage, and your kids’ education. Should I, should I, should I?

The questions never end.

But what if I was never intended to ask, “What is God’s plan for me?”

What if this well-meaning question is more a product of our hyper-individualistic culture than a sign of dependence on the Holy Spirit?

I felt unable to decide unless the Lord gave me clarity concerning His will for me.

As I began to accept my mentor’s challenge and pray about joining FamilyLife, I realized God’s will is just that. GOD’s will. God’s will is not about me - what I do for a living, who I marry, or the career I choose. There’s no such thing as God’s will for MY life apart from His overall will.

And this is GOOD NEWS!

If there were one specific “will” that God required us to discover, we would wind up second-guessing every decision set before us. We weren’t created to bear that kind of burden.

Now let me be clear, it doesn’t mean God won’t or can’t guide our steps, but we first need an eternal perspective on His will before we can understand how to apply it to the specifics of our lives.

Thankfully, His Word does not hide this from us!

As you begin this study, ask God to give you a kingdom-minded perspective. Let Him reveal His will, and prepare yourself to follow it—no matter where He leads.

Pray: Lord, help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and see life through a heavenly perspective so I can learn to care about the things you care about. In Jesus’ name. Amen.