What Is God’s Plan For Your Life?

Have you given any thought to what God’s plan is for your life? First of all, let’s not confuse His plan for your life with His will for you.

His will is that you spend eternity with Him. And through Jesus, He made provision for that to happen. God’s plan for you is the call He has on your life while you are living on this earth.

Let’s look at some of the key figures in the New Testament. According to God’s plan, they traveled on different paths as each one gave their life to Him. We’ll start by talking about James.

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. Acts 12:1-2

That verse began with the phrase, “about that time.” It spoke about the time when the church suffered persecution right after the death of Stephen.

In the New Testament, we read about two prominent men called James. One was James the brother of Jesus who wrote the epistle of James.

The James Herod killed was part of the inner circle of Jesus along with his brother John and Peter. Herod also succeeded in arresting Peter to put him on trial.

Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. Acts 12:4

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God’s Plan for Peter

God, however, had different plans for Peter than He had for James. The night before Peter was to go on trial, something spectacular happened.

Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. Acts 12:

Peter was fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Other soldiers stood guard at the prison gate. The angel had to strike him on the side to awaken him. Then the following happened:

He said, “Quick! Get up!”
The chains fell off his wrists.
Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.”
The angel then ordered “Now put on your coat and follow me,”
And Peter left the cell, following the angel. Acts 12:7-9

At that point, Peter thought he saw a vision. Even as they were walking he didn’t realize it was actually happening.

They passed the first and second guard posts
Then they came to the iron gate leading to the city,
Which opened for them all by itself.
So they passed through and started walking down the street,
And then the angel suddenly left him. Acts 12:10

In the middle of the night, the angel left him in the middle of the street all by himself. At that point, he finally came to his senses.

“It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!” Acts 12:11

God’s Plan for John

God used Peter quite effectively for some time before he ended up dying a martyred death. On the other hand, John the brother of James could have easily become a martyr for Jesus as well.

Instead of death, the Roman government exiled him to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel. But then, that was God’s plan for John’s life as He revealed end-time events to him.

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. Revelation 1:1-2

God’s Specific Plan for Everyone’s Life is Different

We saw that difference in the lives of these three disciples of Jesus. James died early on at the hands of a tyrant. God miraculously freed Peter from prison and John ended up living the longest.

Don’t neglect God’s plan for your life. Sometimes though we compare ourselves with others and feel intimidated or useless. But Paul said that each of us is a vital part of the Body of Christ.

God wired us each differently. We also have unique personalities and dispositions. Some are introverted while others are extroverts. Your personal traits contribute to God’s plan for your life.

Think for a moment about Peter, James, and John during the early days of the church. God needed servants who, like James, were willing to be obedient no matter what the outcome.

He needed people like Peter that were willing to take a firm stand for Christ no matter what. Even though at one time he failed Jesus by denying Him.

God needed people like John. With his situation on a desert island, he didn’t mope or blame God. Instead, he received God’s Revelation without the normal distractions of life.

God isn’t necessarily looking for a standout and He certainly doesn’t need superstars. He needs individuals who will humbly and obediently serve Him.

No Insignificant Parts Exist in the Body

I’ve always said, even if I’m just a little toe in the body of Christ, I’m important. That small little toe seems so insignificant and unnoticed. But it assists in giving balance to the rest of the body.

God’s looking for those who are ready to follow His plan for their life. No matter how big or insignificant His plan may seem, He wants our complete obedience and devotion to Him.

If you aren’t sure what God’s plan is for your life, seek Him through prayer. He’ll speak to you by His Word. He will open doors of opportunity and confirm His plan often through others.

Lord, reveal your plan for each of our lives. Help us to humbly and obediently serve you.

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