Genesis 1:27-28 CEV So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women. God gave them his blessing and said: Have a lot of children! Fill the earth with people and bring it under your control. Rule over the fish in the ocean, the birds in the sky, and every animal on the earth.
God has a plan for your life just as He had for Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Isaiah 49:1-2 CEV Everyone, listen, even you foreign nations across the sea. The Lord chose me and gave me a name before I was born. He made my words pierce like a sharp sword or a pointed arrow; he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand.(emphasis mine)
Jeremiah 1:5 CEV “Jeremiah, I am your Creator, and before you were born, I chose you to speak for me to the nations.”
God had all your days written out before you were born. You aren’t a mistake going somewhere to happen. You haven’t been placed on this earth by chance. Where and when you were born, the parents God gave you, your personality, and everything else about you was orchestrated by God for a specific purpose.
Psalms 139:15-16 CEV
Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together out of human sight, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything about me.
However, you can’t assume that God’s will is automatically going to happen in your life. It won’t. Take salvation, for instance.
2 Peter 3:9 CEV The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.
It’s clear from this scripture that God wants everyone to come to repentance and be saved, yet we know not everyone does. God also wants everyone healed, yet people still live with sickness in their bodies. Likewise, God wants everyone to find and walk in the purpose He has ordained for them, yet not everyone will. But that’s not God’s fault.
Once you realize that you are the one responsible for discovering God’s will, the next step is to start seeking God for it. He’s not hiding His will from you. But you’re going to have to do some seeking to find it.
Our lives are perpetual experiences of trusting God and taking steps towards the plans that He has for us. He is always working and moving us towards His greater plan for our lives. The beautiful part is that the Lord does not just make decisions for us, He invites us in to have choices.
God’s Word the Bible give us the tools and information to make those choices to follow His directions and His will for us. The best way to start is with prayer where we communicate with God our desire to do His will and ask for His directions.
Our Great God,
Thank You that You have everything under control. Thank You that You are perfect and Your ways are perfect. Thank You that even in my past mistakes, You have worked them out for my good and Your glory. You can use the poor decisions as testimonies of Your grace and mercy. Thank You that You already know what is next, and I do not have to be afraid. Thank You that You walk with me and never leave my side. Thank You that You want me to seek you in this decision and in everything.
Forgive me for the times when I have not looked to You in making decisions. Forgive me for going my own way and thinking that I knew best. Remind me today of Your great compassion and help these past sins point me to the joys of following You in the future. Psalm 86:5 says, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” I haven’t always done this right before and know that I am likely to choose my own path today. Help my heart to align with Your will! Open my mind to Your best and Your ways.
Lord, You say in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Would You help me not just to hear that or read that, but to genuinely believe that? Help me to place my full trust in You. Holy Spirit, give me the strength to believe You and not what my human eyes can see, and my human mind can comprehend. Give me the ability to do this in all my ways. Thank You for promising to make my path straight if I trust in You.
God, You told Isaiah in Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Would You please open my ears to Your voice? You are still speaking and guiding Your people in this world today. Would you help me to take time to listen and be still and know that You are my God? There are so many voices around me competing for Your place in my life. Help me not to focus on the voices around me; help me to hear Your voice alone as my authority. Then, as I seek wise counsel and ask trusted advisors in life, may I always sift through their words with You and with Your Word.
Lord, thank You for giving me the gift of Your Bible. I am grateful for Your holy and perfect words. Help me to remember that You have many answers for me just waiting within the Bible. Give me the drive and the urgency to seek You out in Your Word. Help me to love the Scriptures and learn from the people within them. Thank You for this beautiful map of guidance in life. Help me to use it every day to grow in my love for You. Amen.