Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon wrote in Proverbs 19:21(NLT), “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.” Making plans is what we humans do. We have plans to get married, have children, land our dream jobs, pursue goals, and live happy lives. We believe that these aspirations are achievable because God has told us they are. And to cosign this, we’ve either seen or heard of others that have achieved these things and more. Heavenly Father wants us to have the grandest dreams for ourselves, because He is willing and able to make them come true. He’s rooting for us to succeed, but He also requires us to be led and guided by His Holy Spirit. This means that as we continually position ourselves to aim high, we must do so with the understanding that God is the leader and we’re the followers, because His purpose will always prevail. Therefore, we need to make sure our plans are on board with HIS plans. Here are some spiritual insights that will help keep us on the path of the Lord’s purpose.
You’re going higher
You are destined to go higher in your relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. If you don’t trust anything else in your life right now, this is a truth you can bank on with every fiber of your being. You may not have understood many of the experiences you’ve encountered, and you’ve done some things you know you shouldn’t have done. Even now, things may seem a little cra-cra in your life, but God is not angry with you. He’s not punishing you. He’s as in love with you as He’s always been. Heavenly Father has not left you alone. Let the door remain open to Him. Don’t let sin separate you from God. Romans 8:1(NLT) tells us, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Don’t fall into self-condemnation and continually punish yourself. Seek God’s forgiveness, repent, and give Him greater room in your heart. Don’t let the shame of sin stop you from continuing to love on Him.
Isolation is sometimes required
Abraham was God’s man, but he was not a perfect man. The blessing rested on his life because He believed and trusted God, despite his imperfections. Genesis 15:6 (NLT) tells us, “And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Abraham was also close to his family and they all lived near each other, but when he received the promise, he received instruction from God to leave his extended family. In Genesis 12:1-2(NLT), the Lord told him, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.” Abraham had to move away from those who knew him, and from things that were familiar. Sometimes this is the case for us as well. People that know us make us too comfortable. God has plans for us to give birth to something new, but those who know us speak words that keep us focused on who we are now, and not on who God wants us to become.
Don’t be surprised if you’re isolated or cut-off from those that are close to you. You might even be disconnected from your faith community. Perhaps you cannot be fed there and are not receiving what you need to propel you into your destiny. Sometimes isolation in the form of aloneness with God is necessary. It will allow you to more clearly see His plan and purpose for your life.
God’s Purpose is more important than your plans
Understand that God wants His Will to be done. Jesus Christ tells us this in Matthew 6:9-10(NLT), when he taught the disciples a template for prayer. He said, “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” We have greatly underestimated God’s allegiance to His Will. His purpose is that His Will is done on earth in the same way that it is done in heaven. That’s His purpose. His plans are perfect. His Will is perfect, and His purpose is perfect. God’s Will is what He intends to happen. He doesn’t force us to move in lockstep with His plan. He tells us what He wants in His Word, and because we are His children, He expects us to walk by His Spirit and thereby accomplish what He has purposed. This is the most important thing to Him. Galatians 5:16 tells us that God wants us to walk by the Spirit, because doing so guarantees that we are walking by His plan and therefore walking in the absolute best!
It is more important for you to find out God’s purpose for your life than for you to make plans about what you’re going to do and accomplish on your own. This is why Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 6:33 to seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness first, before we seek any other thing. We don’t have to worry about whether God will tell us which way to go. James 1:5(NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth, and his leadership is perfect. He knows God’s plan, and he also knows our purpose within it. The Spirit is taking you higher in Christ. Yes, you may experience loneliness and isolation, but do not be quick to make moves on your own. Trust the Lord, and learn to be sensitive to the Spirit’s promptings, and he will help you stay in God’s Will and remain on the path of His purpose.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“The Lord’s Purpose Will Prevail” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.