God’s Plan for Your Life

Do you ever wonder how you can know God’s plan for your life? Maybe this thought arose while applying for a job, picking a college major, or even while transitioning from caregiving for a loved one. No matter when the question comes to mind, knowing God’s plan can guide you throughout life. 

My grandfather was a master carpenter and built houses, churches, stores and more in the South. He enlisted the help of two of his sons—my father and uncle—teaching them the trade along the way. He drew blueprints for those buildings to guide him and his sons in the building process. A blueprint is a floor plan that shows the dimensions and elevations of buildings. Without the blueprint, they would not know the amount of lumber and building materials to purchase or where to position them. 

God is the Master Creator of our lives. He created us and He knows the unique blueprint for each of us. It is up to us to seek Him to find out what that plan is and to build our lives based on it.

Even if you do not know your life’s plan, God does. Jeremiah shared, “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” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). 

God’s plans for your life are good and are meant to produce hope in the future that He has planned for you.

God revealed to me my life's purpose of kingdom service several years ago after giving my life over to Him. I wrote down what He showed me and prayed about the actions to take. It was both relieving and overwhelming to know His plan for my life at such a young age. Even though it overwhelmed me that God would entrust me with much, it also helped me to live with intention and immense focus ever since.

To learn what God's plan is for your life, I suggest these three steps. 

1. Pray: Ask God to reveal His plan for your life. 

2. Listen: Prayer is communication with God and involves listening. Listen with your heart and soul to hear what God reveals to you about His plan for your life. During your listening, exercise patience as you wait for Him to give you direction. Lamentations 3:26 says, So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.

3. Respond: Write down what God shows you. Respond by saying “thank You” and then take action. The action may be to pray for others, to build a business, to preach the Word of God, to teach children, or something different. No matter what He reveals to you, He will guide you with the steps to get there.

You may need to repeat these steps as life progresses and circumstances change. Once you know God’s plan for your life, you can face joys, hardships, and changes knowing that God has a plan for you to fulfill no matter what. It gives you focus, hope, and a path guided by Him. 

Just as my grandfather used his blueprints to build buildings still used by congregations, families, and customers today, God has a blueprint for your life as well. 

PRAYER: Lord, I want to know Your plan for my life. I ask that You show me what that plan is and give me hope to fulfill the plan that You have. Show me the blueprint, oh Lord, so that I build my life according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.