Plans and A Purpose

Click on this scripture reference and read 1 Corinthians 2:9-12.

I've read these verses many times prior to a few nights ago.  But God revealed something to me that might not seem big to you, but it did to me.  I've joined with people all over the world, maybe you're even one of us, who have searched for God's purpose for your life.  I think that even the fact that Pastor Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, sold so many copies, gives evidence to the fact that people the world over are concerned with their life's purpose.  I was called to the ministry when I was 16 years old, but I've come to learn that sometimes your calling and your purpose are not always one and the same.  Many times, maybe even MOST of the time, your purpose lies within your calling.

Since moving to Nashville, I have made some new friends.  I'm thankful for all of them!  Some of them may even prove to be the rare life long friends.  But one of these friends, Jamie, challenged me back in July to do a 5 year plan for myself.  Having walked away from local church ministry a little over two years ago for a number of reasons, and having been in a wilderness experience almost ever since that event, I was really at a loss for where to even start!  I'd taught leadership on a state level to church leaders, led volunteer armies of 200-300 in my former role of Worship Pastor, but trying to come up with a vision for myself seemed to be a much more daunting task!

Jamie and I had met at 10:00a that morning, and he wanted it in his Inbox by 8:00p that night!!!  I remember sitting down right after lunch with my laptop and just staring at a white screen wondering where in the world to start.  There is NO DOUBT in my mind that God brought Michelle and I here to Nashville, TN!  None whatsoever!  The doors He kicked open for us to be here and the favor He has shown on us since arriving has been quite overwhelming, if I'm honest.  But how many of you reading this, who have experience with a relationship with God, know that just because God's unmistakable hand leads you somewhere, doesn't always mean He shows you WHY He led you there upon arrival?

So I prayed.  And as I prayed I started typing.  And as I typed, God revealed some things about me that I, with His help, needed to change.  He also renewed some dreams that He had given me long ago that I had let slide.  He renewed some passions within me and gave me new ones in the process.  I got a vision for what He could do in and through me and it EXCITED me!  When I got done a couple of hours later, I was amazed at what I'd written.  As a matter of fact, I thought it was a bit grandiose and even questioned God as to whether I'd written some of it out of greed or pride.  The details of my plan and the ways that God confirmed it to be from Him are not important for now.  Just know that there was a confirmation as to the details.  What IS important is what I saw that led me to even type the first word.  And that part of the story takes us back to scripture.

Click on this scripture reference and read Isaiah 55:8-9.  Think back.  You may even have to think back to your childhood.  What were your dreams?  I'm talking about the dreams you had when you were old enough to be passionate about something.  They've been there all along, and no matter how old you are right now, they've never gone away.  Resources, age, lack of experience, life circumstances may have gotten in the way and you laid your dreams and passions aside, but they've never gone completely out of your mind.  Yeah.  Those.  Think on those for a minute.

Now click on this reference and read Jeremiah 29:11-13.  Now when this reference is used, most people stop with verse 11.  GREAT!  We have a hope and a future!  But there is more to it than that.  If we are to KNOW that hope and future, we must pray and seek God!  It is when we seek that we find.  Remember the verse in Isaiah?  God's ways and thoughts for us are higher than our own.  You know those dreams you had?  Well God put them there.  And His purpose for them is even HIGHER than what you think could be done!!!  Getting excited yet?!?

Now let's go back to the first passage of scripture you read at the beginning.  Verse 9 talks about how no eye can see nor mind imagine the things that God has prepared for us.  That is SO exciting and great to know!  But how many are like me and you want to taste the dough even before the cookies are in the oven?!?  I'm glad that there are things being prepared for me one day in heaven when I see Him face to face!  But what about right now?  Jesus came to establish His kingdom on this earth.  Not that this earth is heaven, but that we might experience a portion of the eternal in the here and now!

Now look at verses 10-12.  Do you see it?  God has given us His Spirit which searches out and reveals to us God's "deep secrets."  We have a window into the very mind of God!!!  A window that He controls, mind you, but a window that reveals to us His higher ways and thoughts about us and His plan and purpose for our lives!!!  I believe with all my heart that when I sat down to write my 5 year plan, that it was this window through which I saw what God has planned for me and will do in and through me if I remain faithful!!!

I challenge you to do a 5 year plan for your life TODAY!  It's much like a prayer journal for your own life.  In a prayer journal, we see and record God's answers to our prayers as they happen and it strengthens our faith.  With a 5 year plan in place, you can see God working and bringing to fruition those things He gave you dreams and passions about.  You can watch His encouragement in your life as He opens doors and you pass through them.  It's a wonderful faith building tool!  Plus you get to see through His Spirit those things which He has in store for you, His faithful child.

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