For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. It’s like a weight was lifted off of me. No longer was I weighed down by disappointment. No longer was I feeling let down and discouraged. I’ve realized and accepted that this is where God wants me to be…at His service…working according to His holy plan for my life.
You see, there was this inner resistance to God’s plan. Not that I didn’t want to do what He was calling me to do. But, I wasn’t willing to accept the sacrifice.
We can’t fulfill the plan that God has for our lives without sacrifice.
An inner tension began to form, because I want nothing more than to be who God created me to be. But naturally, I am a planner. And when my plan is interrupted, it doesn’t feel good. As a matter of fact, the loss of control often throws me off balance. So– just to be transparent– my journey with God has always been one of letting go. It’s this tug of war relationship. Me constantly wanting to hold on to my plans, and God constantly telling me to let go.
I prayed for strength. I prayed for God to give me the desire and the ability to do what He has called me to do.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:13 NLT)
And the next day, the weight was lifted. Instead of grudgingly obeying God, I did so with joy, and peace. And the Holy Spirit spoke something to me. He said, “The difference is that you are finally leaning into your purpose.”
I began to ponder on His statement. And I realized that the tension that I was dealing with, the anxiety that I was feeling, was a result of fighting the purpose that God has for my life. But when I accept His purpose (over my own), and when I lean into it, I can walk with joy, peace, and strength.
I have no way of knowing the details of your relationship with God. But I do know the struggle that comes with seeking to do His will, while also wanting to pursue your own. I know how it feels to, with everything you have, desire something. And I know the pain that is felt when God asks you to let it go.
God’s plan will require sacrifice.
Just look at the many examples that we are given in the bible. Remember how God asked Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Isaac? Remember how Ruth sacrificed her future of having a family to follow the path that God had for her? Remember how Mary gave up her life and reputation to carry and birth the Messiah? Remember how Jesus painfully died for our sins?
In all of those circumstances, God’s plan was far better. Abraham became the father and founder of our faith. Ruth is the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus. Mary is known for being the mother of our Messiah. And Jesus is our Savior. He is the only reason that we have been reconciled to God.
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42 NLT)
These are some of the last words that Jesus spoke, before he laid his life down on the cross. And this is the heart of what it means to walk in the purpose that God has for our lives. While we might have a plan, and while we might want to accomplish things, God’s plan must inevitably be exalted above our own.
You can make many plans, but the Lord ’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21 NLT)
Fighting the purpose of God will only cause internal tension. Because, at the end of the day, we were created for so much more.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NLT)
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
We were created to fulfill a specific purpose.
And I believe that all of our searching and pursuit in life is only to find this one thing…Purpose.
So, we spend our lives making plans. We choose the best college. We choose the best program. We plan out our families, our finances, our hobbies, and our vacations. But the only problem is that, oftentimes, God’s plan is different.
Only God’s plan can fill that void.
It doesn’t matter how successful we are. It doesn’t matter how much we travel or how much money we have. The only thing that can fulfill us is the plan of God. Why, because before we were born, he planted his seed of purpose inside of our hearts. And even if we don’t know it, it’s what we long for…to be fulfilled…to have meaning…to serve our purpose.
If you want to live a life of fulfillment, one where you can walk in the joy of the Lord and His peace…choose His purpose over your own.
Don’t fight your purpose; lean into your purpose.
I can say from experience that when we relinquish our plans, and lean into the purpose of God, peace will follow.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
This has been a process for me, and it might very well be a process for you. As I said earlier, it may be a tug of war between you and God. You may be resistant. You may fear letting go of your plans, but bit by bit, as you lean a little more into your purpose, you will find what you are really looking for…meaning, fulfillment, strength, and ultimately peace.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid…” (John 14:27 NLT)
This peace that Jesus is talking about, the peace of God, is unmatched. There is nothing this world can give you like it, and you won’t find anything that can emulate it. Real peace is only found in Him. If you are feeling troubled. If you are feeling anxious, or perhaps unfulfilled, lean into God. Lean into who He’s called you to be. Lean into purpose.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me to fulfill a beautiful purpose. And thank you for being patient with me, as I pursue the plans that you have for my life. Today I have been reminded that although I have wonderful plans, your plans are always better. You God, have an amazing purpose for my life. You have a purpose that will bring me joy .You have a purpose that will bring me peace. And you have a purpose that will bring the fulfillment that I have been searching for. So Father, I am choosing to trust you. No longer will I seek my own will. Instead, I will lay down my plans, so that your will may be done in my life. I love you, Father. In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah, I pray. Amen.
Comments