Soul Care - Unplanned Purpose
by Mary Elsbury
This month we are focusing on purpose. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I here,” especially after a difficult day? Do you look in a kitchen pantry at a bunch of takeout bowls and lids and wonder what purpose they serve? Are you a hoarder of old magazines, boxes of leftover fabric, and other miscellaneous items? Their purpose might not be the same as originally intended.
As a Christian, we have one specific purpose – to serve and glorify God. Joshua (24:15) tells us, “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” With social media bombarding our lives, there are competing messages we hear.
The Word of God is our roadmap for life. Drink in the beauty of Psalms; walk through the wisdom of Proverbs; follow along with the battle fought to push down rebellions in Joshua and Judges; journey with Jesus in the Gospels as He sets an example; travel with the Apostles as the “new” religion spreads in Acts and the Epistles; and read in Revelation that God conquers evil for good.
The wisdom in Proverbs 19:21 explains it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I love that this Scripture says we don’t just have some plans - we have many plans. I know that I have lists, notes, and memos full of ideas I want to try, books I want to read, and goals I want to accomplish – even at this later stage of life!
There is no guarantee we’ll see our plans come to pass perfectly. This often leaves us to face what feels like failure when our many plans remain lists in our planners, scribbles in our journals.
But what if we choose to look at our unaccomplished or interrupted plans not as failures but as opportunities? What if God is using what we consider failures for His greater purpose?
Think of some of Jesus’ disciples. Matthew planned to be a tax collector (Matthew 9:9). Andrew, Peter, James, and John planned to be fishermen, but an encounter with Jesus interrupted those plans for a purpose that would spread the gospel to all nations (Matthew 4:18-22).
Unfulfilled plans are often pathways to God’s greater purpose. When our focus is on God’s purpose over our plans, we are freed from the pressure they create. Plans are what we intend to do, but the effects of our purpose in Christ grow far beyond our intentions. No matter what plans come to pass - or not - this year, we can always have peace when we know that even if plans fail, God’s purpose always prevails.
My purpose in life is to become more like Jesus. Echoing the words of Paul, “…I consider my life worth nothing to me, my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 10:24).
So, clean out the pantry, get rid of the clutter that bogs you down, and focus on what is important - sharing what Jesus has done and continues to do every day you have breath in your lungs. Dig into the Word of God and explore a new path and purpose that brings Him glory.
Father, thank You for the many ideas and plans You’ve placed on my heart. I pray for the faith to trust You with each plan and to trust that your greater purpose will prevail. Thank You for Your peace in all circumstances no matter what path You take me on. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
