What is My Purpose?

I suppose everyone who has ever heard Jeremiah 29:11 quoted or read has thought "wow, I am so glad God has a plan for my life".

Jeremiah 29:11 says this---

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope".

This scripture should lift us up.

I know it does something for me every time I read it.

But how do we find "the plan" God has for us? How do we find that "good plan" and become "prosperous" and how do we not get "harmed along the way" and continue "having hope and planning for our future"?

It's through seeking God first.

Proverbs 3:6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and he will direct your path......"

The "path" we are supposed to take is all wrapped up in trusting in and leaning on God.

Psalms 37:4 says "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires" or another version says it this way "Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want".

What we all want deep down is to go down the path that God has designed for us and have hope while we are doing it; we don't want to become discouraged or give up along the way. We may think we want a certain man for a husband, a certain home to live in, a particular job and on and on; but what we really want is what God has chosen for us, right? (if you are on the fence, the answer is yes)

Here are some scriptures that might convince us----

if we weren't already convinced.

All are from Proverbs:

Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.  Proverbs 16:9

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. Provers 16:33

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 16:25

Sobering, huh?

Things can end up quite different when we take the wrong path. 

The reason why we should want what God has chosen for us is because He is our father and loves us. God knows us better than we know ourselves. God sees the future and He will always pick the plan that's right when we trust Him.

After being reassured that He has this plan, we may still wonder--
How DO I DO that? 
How DO I seek God first?
How DO I trust Him completely and find that right plan?

The next couple of verses after Jeremiah 29:11 say this...

"In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord."

And then later in Jeremiah 33:3, it says

"Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come."

And when we simply don't know what to ask or pray for ourselves or others, James 1:5 says this about wisdom.

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone."

So in conclusion, I need to take every one of my plans, thoughts, and desires to Him and hand them over for to Him decide what is right for me...AND THEN TRUST HIM.

KL