I looked at my life and realized that it was far from the vision that God had given me. And I knew that something had to change. I knew that I would have to do some things differently, if I was going to receive the life of blessing that God had planned for me. I needed to make a shift. I needed to position myself to receive from God. Because God’s plan never comes to pass without intentionality. We must choose Him. We must choose His ways. We must make the decision to walk the path that He has for us.
God’s plan depends on our choices.
Our God is sovereign, but we must not take that to mean that His plan will automatically come to pass in our lives. He gives us a choice…life or death. And we must choose life if we want to see the things that He has promised us.
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT)
So, we can see that our choice to love and obey God is directly related to whether or not we experience blessing in our lives. The story of the fall of man in the book of Genesis is a perfect example of this principle.
But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17 NLT)
Adam and Eve had a choice. They could obey God and experience life, or they could disobey God and experience death. They chose the latter, and their decision to do so was directly related to how they spent the rest of their lives.
Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24 NLT)
What was God’s original plan for Adam and Eve? Well, in the book of Genesis, we learn that He created a beautiful garden for them to live in. He wanted communion, or a close relationship, with them. He wanted them to live forever. But He gave them one boundary. He told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He told them that if they ate from this forbidden tree, the life…the blessing…His plan, would be forfeited. And that is exactly what happened.
We can’t have it both ways. We have to make a choice.
For a moment, I want you to think of your own life. Maybe God has shown you a glimpse of His plan for you. If that’s the case, I want you to know that it is exactly that…just a glimpse. It is impossible for you to comprehend all of the amazing things that God has in store for you.
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)
Or maybe it’s the complete opposite for you. Maybe you have no idea what God’s plan is for your life. If so, I want you to know that He has an amazing and unimaginable plan specifically for your life. Scripture tells us that He made the plan before you were even born. And although you may not know that plan, you can be certain that it is for your good. He plans to prosper you…to give you a hope and a future.
“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 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)
But, your receiving of this plan depends on you. It hinges on whether or not you’re willing to put your plans aside. It hinges on whether or not you’re willing to deny your desires, so that the will of God can move through you. Remember, you are a vessel. God wants to use you to get something specific done in the earth. But He can’t do it through you if you aren’t committed to allowing Him to.
Choosing life will require sacrifice.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. (Matthew 16:24-25 NLT)
According to Jesus, choosing life means giving up our lives. It requires us to make ourselves completely available to God…withholding nothing from Him. When we can do this…He can use us!
Just think of all the men and woman that God used in the bible. Think of Abraham…he gave up his family, his home, and his sense of security to follow God. Think of Rahab…she risked her family’s safety, so that God’s will could be done in Jericho. Think of Esther…she risked her life, to save God’s people. And think of Elisha…he left his family and career, to pursue the call of God. None of these people walked in certainty. All of these people faced the fear of not knowing what would come to pass. But nevertheless…they walked in faith. They obeyed God. And they trusted that God would take care of the rest.
Choosing life requires faith.
Choosing life will require you to deny the facts…those things that make sense. God may ask you to do something that you’ve never seen done before. He may ask you to leave to go to an unknown place. He may ask you to do something knew…something you feel you’re unqualified to do. Whatever it is, will be out of your comfort zone. Whatever it is, will feel unnatural. But your choice to do that thing…will produce miracles. That leap of faith, will position you to receive the life of blessing that God has for you.
I remember a few years ago, God instructed my husband and I to move to an unknown place. A place that was far from all of our friends and family. And we were so afraid. We weren’t sure if we had heard from God. We didn’t know if we were making the right choice. But I remember our sentiment in that season. We were so desperate to see the plan of God, that we didn’t care about the facts. We didn’t care that we didn’t have all the details. All that mattered was that our hearts were following God, and we reasoned that He would take care of the rest. And He did. He honored our faith. And this ministry…me writing to you, is just one of the fruits that we’ve received along this journey.
God meets us in the middle of our faith.
Maybe you’re reading this, and you’ve been feeling a nudge to move in a specific direction. Maybe it’s a career change. Maybe it’s a change in relationship, or even a change in habit. But, you aren’t sure if it’s God speaking to you. That’s completely normal. I feel this way all the time. And usually when I do, I ask myself a couple of questions to try and figure out if God might be speaking to me.
Is this my own desire, or is it something that I’ve never thought of before?
Remember, Jesus said that if we want to follow Him, we have to give up our lives…our plans or desires. So, usually when God speaks, He asks us to do something that we would not normally do. If you feel a tug on your heart to do something that feels unnatural. It may be God speaking to you.
Does this decision line up with scripture?
God will never contradict himself. He will never tell you to do something that completely contradicts His word, decrees, or principles. If you feel that He is leading you in a specific direction, study His word. Make sure the word you received lines up with scripture.
The rest is faith.
Remember, this is a journey of faith. You will never be completely certain that you have heard from God. But if you are seeking Him…if your heart is set on His plan, and not your own…He will send his grace to take care of the rest .You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to get it right all the time. You just have to choose Him. You have to make the decision to walk towards life. And as long as you keep walking…as long as you don’t give up…you will see the blessings that He has for you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing me. Thank you for the amazing plan that you have for my life. Forgive me for the times that I’ve neglected your call. And thank you for your never-ending grace that allows me to find my way back to you. Today Father, I am making the decision to lay down my life. I am making the decision to lay down my plans and desires, so that I can be used by you. I ask that you would strengthen me for this journey. I ask that you enable me to persevere through my fears and uncertainties, so that I may see the wonderful plan that you have for me. Thank you for never leaving my side. Thank you for never giving up on me. I love you Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Comentários