It's About God's Plan...Not Mine!

By Chad McComas

Jesus taught us to pray... “your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (See Luke 11:2) Solomon wrote: “A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24 and “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 And David told us in Psalm 1 that it is the man who is committed to the Lord and His way who prospers. He says: “For the LORD watches over the say of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1:6 In Hebrews 13:20,21 we read... “May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him.” Paul tells us we are saved by grace.... “for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10.

All of this adds up to the secret to success in life – we must be in God's will!

There is nothing more disturbing than watching a “terrible two's tantrum.” We've all seen it. The child is determined to have his/her own way. It doesn't matter if that way is harmful or dangerous, he wants it. The parent knows best, but the child fights the parent each step of the way. We see the same type of behavior in teens. The drive for independence carries the teen to fight for his/her way often to the dismay of the parent who desperately wants to help guide the teen to success in life.

Are we any different with our heavenly Father?

He has a plan for this world and our part in it. Jeremiah tells us: “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.” Jeremiah 29:11 We do well when we seek His plan for our lives and surrender our will to His will. Jesus was the prime example when He prayed in the garden. “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39. All through His life Jesus had talked about doing what God wanted Him to do. He said: “...the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing...by myself I can do nothing...for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:19,30.

Perhaps many Christians are frustrated in life because they are seeking their own ways and wills and asking God to bless them. They are not seeing good results and they get mad at God for deserting them when they have not been in His will. It's almost as useless as trying to put a square peg in a round hole. It will not work! No matter how hard we try or how hard we pray. God does not bless our plans...He blesses His plans.

So, a wise believer will be seeking God's will for his/her life and asking God to bless that. We've heard people talking about being called in life. Some have never followed the call and then they wonder why their life hasn't been fulfilling. Others have followed the call and they have found purpose, meaning and fulfillment!

One writer said... “See what God is doing and join Him.” In other words, if we can't decide what God's will is for our lives we just need to see what God is doing in and around us and then surrender to His work. That gives us a purpose. And when we are in that purpose all things work together in an amazing way. It all fits. It all makes sense.

Paul put it this way: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. All things work for good when we are doing His purpose...not ours! This works for individuals, groups, churches, and ministries.

If we want to prosper in life...we need to find God's will, His purpose and join Him.