(Acts 26:16-18)
Does God really have a plan for our life? One of the most asked questions I
get daily, and have throughout my years of ministry, is whether God really
has a plan and purpose for our life. Let me assure you that there are no
accidents, no coincidences with God. The one who created the universe and
everything in it, did not just create us in His image to drift from birth to
death with no purpose. Those who are into science will tell you that the
incredible perfection of creation could never have just happened, and while
some forms of life may undergo a sort of evolutionary process to a small
degree, all of this did not just "happen" and work itself into perfection.
Years ago, a dear friend of mine, who came to know Christ because of the
irrefutable evidence we have from science, told me that the creation of the
universe and the incredible precision it takes to operate properly could
have never "just happened by some accident." He said it would be the
equivalent
of taking an expensive, finely-tuned Swiss watch apart, throwing the
thousand some pieces in the air, and having it land in perfect working
order. My
friend, the universe did not just happen, God created it. You did not just
happen, God created you. God did not just create all of this because He was
bored....there is a divine plan and purpose for everything, including your
life!
The scripture text today is God revealing to Paul the plan He had for his
life. Most of us will never have a Damascus Road experience where God calls
down to us and gives us the exact plan for our life. However, as we are
surrendered to His will, he will move us and position us, exactly where He
wants us. He will open doors, close doors, and lead us to the very place,
at the very time. As you are surrendered to Him and His plan, there are no
accidents where you live, work, go to school, recreate...who your neighbors
are, the people that are in your life. God strategically places us, as His
instruments so we can do our part of fulfilling His master plan.
The key, of course, is to be surrendered to Him. If we rebel, if we don't
listen, if we do it our way and not His way, then of course His plan will
never be fulfilled. That becomes our choice each day...to live our life our
way or His way. When we do it our way, we then bear the burden of coming
up with our own plan each day. It is amazing how we try, try, and try, and
it never seems to work out. We may be successful in one area of our life, but
miserable in others. You see, when we operate under God's plan, He takes into consideration ALL areas of our life. Our work, finances, relationships, service to Him, and recreation, He has ALL aspects of our life covered. That is why some people you see may have a great plan for their finances and be very successful by the world's standards, but total failures in their marriage or as a parent. Or some may have a great home life, but always struggling financially. The point is, when you are operating under your plan, it will never all work, all the time. There is a fatal flaw....it is your plan, not His.
I will be praying for you today to open your heart and really talk with God
about whether you are operating day to day under your plan or His. Surrender is the first step; that takes faith and trust. God will never let you down,
He will never disappoint you, just love and bless you daily. He does have a
plan for you, now it is up to you to open your heart and life and let Him
fulfill it just as Paul did.
