The Point of the Plan

Jer 29:11NIV - "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."

As Christians, most of us are familiar with this scripture passage and from it we teach an important truth: God has a plan for each of our lives. As a result of that plan God promises to prosper us and give us hope and a future. Therefore we conclude this plan for our lives is a good plan because it is given to us by a good God. A holy God who cannot do anything but good. As the scripture says, "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:16-17 NIV).

Here is a thought: Does this plan of God for our lives automatically take place apart from anything that we do? Well, of course not - correct? In other words, the plan of God is the call of God on our lives to which we must seek and respond to it. For instance, it would do us no good to know that God called us to overseas missions where He planned to prosper us if we failed to respond to that call and become a missionary and go.

The point of God having a plan for your life and mine is the "call." The "call" is different for each person's life and one person may be "called" to do many different things in their lifetime. The point is that we must become aware of what God is "calling" each of us to do and then for us to adjust our lives to obey and follow that "call."

What is God calling you to do? Has He told you to do something like enter full time ministry? or has He called you to help a church grow by contributing your time, gifts, and resources? "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col 3:23-24 NIV).

How will you recognize God's calling? Look for the opportunities to do good that God places in your life and respond to them. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:10 NIV). Like the story of the good Samaritan, we are responsible for those God places in our path not outside of it.

Father bless your children as they listen and respond to your call and bring about the good purpose and plan that you have for their lives, in Jesus name. amen.