I can worry too much about missing out on what God has planned for my life. Even though I’m now in my upper fifties, I can second guess my decisions on how I spend my time, worried I might do something that is not in God’s plan for my life.
It’s not a good way to be thinking, and I’m guessing you may understand. I know in theory that God will fulfill His purpose for you and for me! Yet I can stumble into the fear I may miss out on His purpose for my life.
When I think back to times when I just jumped in without second guessing, when I stopped worrying if I heard God right, I felt I was exactly where I was suppose to be. Like the time I facilitated my first prayer retreat, when I led 20 women to soak in the Psalms on a crisp September Saturday morning.
Although my introvert tendencies and my soft voice has me avoiding large groups, I led this group of ladies with a gentle assertiveness, trusting that God would accomplish His purpose for each of them. As the retreat came to it’s end, our voices raised in song, I heard His whisper: “Job well done, my faithful servant.”
I’m so thankful I allowed myself to jump in and experience God’s presence that morning.
How do you know God has a purpose for you?
The bible is full of stories of people living out their purpose. Often, though, their story is not formed by their own pre-made plans. For example, Joseph, son of Jacob, was sold to slavery to later become ruler of the land of Egypt. (Genesis 37 – 50) Planned by Joseph? Unlikely!
Yet, God has a purpose for everything and He will accomplish His purpose no matter what! — even if we plan (and worry) if we are fulfilling our purpose.
God has a purpose for everything
The Lord works out everything to its proper end – even the wicked for a day of disaster. Proverbs 16:4
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
Joseph experienced evil from his brothers, from false allegations against him, and from experiencing seven years of famine, yet God brought good out of Joseph’s bad situation. God works out everything for His purpose even though our situations are not what we planned. We can trust Him to work-out His purpose for our lives.
What does the bible say about how God will fulfill His purpose for you?
As we get older, the days between our school days, our first date, our first job, our first child, our first grandchild…grow, and we may question our time spent and how to spend our time to come. How do we fully embrace our purpose, leaving our worry behind that we are not where we are suppose to be?
Rest assured, God’s purpose of bringing salvation to the world cannot be blocked. Our role is to commit our time to Him, trusting Him to work everything out according to His purpose for all!
God will fulfill His purpose
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1:11
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
We make goals, then plans, then intentionally schedule our time to work toward the finishing line. But what happens when our plans do not go as expected? Instead of worrying if we are no longer fulfilling our purpose, we can depend on God to work out the ending according to His plan.
Committing what we do to the Lord means to work at it while trusting God will fulfill His purpose. God has the future in His hands.
Rest assured, God will fulfill His purpose for you.
I know I’ve missed out on opportunities because I’ve been worried I’m not following God’s purpose for me. It’s especially sad, because I know deep down there is nothing I can do that will thwart God’s purpose!
Yet, I chose to stand back instead of choosing to step in faith. Let’s embrace the opportunities God presents us; let’s trust that joy we feel when we are doing something; let’s trust God in all our circumstances even when our best laid plans are going sideways.
Let’s rest assured, His purpose will prevail.
No need to worry, my friend. Breathe in God.
God will fulfill His purpose for you.
Because He knows the world needs you….
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
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Lynn, such a powerful message. So many of us ask and wonder, “How do I know God’s will for my life, His purpose for me?” This was beautifully written and vulnerable. One of my favorite practices is to insert my name or names of loved ones into scripture and meditate on it or pray it.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for Lynn;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Pslam 138:8 ESV
That’s a wonderful prayer, Karen. Thank you so much! You have inspired me to pray scripture more, and add the names of loved ones.
Lynn, such an encouraging post! I know this will shock you, but I may—sometimes, maybe—overthink this whole idea of if I’m living out the purposes God has for me. I’m learning how to make plans after seeking the Lord, but to write them in pencil so He can erase what needs erasing to bring about His best in my life. I love your thoughts here, friend.
Jeanne, I think we are soul sisters in our over-thinking! 🙂 Pencil is the only writing device I use in my Daytimer But, I admit, I also use pencil so I can erase any spelling or messy printing and do again. I like the idea of God doing the erasing. And having complete control of our pencils. Thank YOU for your thoughts here, my friend.
Lynn, this is such a powerful post. This >> “Committing what we do to the Lord means to work at it while trusting God will fulfill His purpose.” Thank you for the reminder that God is committed to fulfilling His purposes in our lives.
Thank you, Joanne. I’m still learning what it means to be “on purpose” and need the reminders that He’s got it all under control!
“Yet, God has a purpose for everything and He will accomplish His purpose no matter what! — even if we plan (and worry) if we are fulfilling our purpose.” Thank you for this encouragement, Lynn! I tend to be indecisive sometimes out of that fear that it’s my plan, not His. It’s so comforting to know that nothing will thwart His purpose for us! Love and blessings to you!
No, nothing will thwart His purpose! I find that comforting, too, Trudy. Living in trust of His sovereignty…blessings back to you!!
I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am to see you here tonight, Lynn. I check in often to see if you’ve written and have so enjoyed this little visit. You had me at the first snapshot and I really was resonating with your ‘gentle assertiveness’ style of leadership.
Thanks for bringing joy to this late Thursday evening, friend. Your giftedness always warms my heart and speaks to me somewhere deep.
xo
Thank you for your sweet words, Linda! I’m humbled to be part of bringing joy to your late Thursday evening. Your words bless me so very much!
Such great encouragement today, Lynn! While I also know God has a purpose for my life, this 64-year-old sometimes feels like it’s too late for it to be realized! yet God is never in a hurry and promised to complete His work in me!
“God is never in a hurry…” Amen! Thank you, Donna, for reminding us it is God’s timing that is perfect in every season in our lives!
As one who tends to hold back a minute to watch and think before jumping in, I love when I feel an overwhelming sense to do something like you did leading the Psalms retreat without a ton of second guessing myself. 🙂 I suppose that is how extroverts feel most of the time. lol.
Hi Lisa, Yes, I suppose that is what extroverts can feel most of the time! Have you ever read the book “Quiet” by Susan Cain? It’s a great read that explains the power of introverts in our world. God’s designed us – introvert or extrovert – for His perfect purpose!
Lynn, this is so reassuring: “We can depend on God to work out the ending according to His plan. ” Especially for someone like me, who always likes to read the end of the book first! Psalm 138:8 is a frequent prayer for myself and my loved ones: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.”
Hi Lois! I smiled at your confession of liking to read the end of the book at first. When we write, too, we tend to keep the end in mind, so we know where we are going, don’t we? Thank you for sharing Psalm 138:8. How comforting to know He will fulfill our person and that His love is eternal!
This is beautiful encouragement, Lynn. Some days I definitely get pulled in to that fear that I have wasted far too much of my life and don’t have nearly enough life left to walk out my kingdom purpose. Thank you for this reminder that ultimately He is the One who holds the plan for our life in His hands. Recently, these words flew by in my scrolling, so I can’t credit the source, but the gist was this: Jesus never called anyone to a station, a ministry or work. He may commission us for kingdom purposes… but He calls us to Himself alone.