And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:28
God has a plan for every single one of us. Some would even call it the "perfect will of God." My question has always been, is it possible to miss out on God's will your life? Are there ever times when we live a life (whether for a short season or for a long season) different than what God has planned for us? I have come to the conclusion that yes, we can miss out on his will for our lives. Why? Because the will of God requires our obedience. It requires us to be sensitive to his still small voice directing our path.
Queen Esther is an example of a woman that followed God's plan for her life. Esther was called to save her people from destruction by interceding for them before the king, but she became fearful and almost refused to do so. Her uncle Mordecai told her that if she didn't do what God wanted her to do, God would raise someone up in her place. She had a choice and she finally obeyed. God's will was done and her people were saved.
Now, what happens when we choose to not obey God's plan for us? What happens when we miss out on something He has for us and even disobey Him? Is everything over? David is a great example of this. David was called by God to do a great work for His people. David sinned with Bathsheba and committed murder, however, David asked forgiveness and God continued to use Him and bless him. Although David did face consequences for his actions, that did not change the fact that God had a plan for David. That plan was finally accomplished through Jesus Christ who was from David's lineage.
We see from both examples that God's plan was carried out. It was carried out in obedience and carried out despite disobedience. Romans 8:28 says that "all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose." This means that God can take any situation, and I mean any, and make it work for good in our lives. Romans 8:29 goes on to say that he has predestined us to be "conformed to the image of His son." That is the final outcome that God has determined for our lives. He gets us to this place despite our failures and mistakes and despite detours and side roads that we take. He even uses our mistakes to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Here's what I'm trying to say. You may have made bad choices in your life, but God can still use you and transform you into His image. You may have made a bad choice in marriage, but God can still take your marriage and transform it, and in turn, transform you in the process. You may have even experienced a divorce, but that doesn't mean that God's through with you, despite what others may tell you. You may have fallen into a life of drugs and alcohol, but once you've surrendered your life back to God, He starts working on you again to make you like Jesus Christ. Maybe God was calling you to a particular ministry, but you were too scared to pursue it and now find yourself further from your dream than before. God can still bring you back to Him. Maybe you settled for plan B when you knew that God had plan A for you. God can still use this. He will take your detours and side roads and lead you to His intended destination for you.
Many life roads will get us to our intended destination, but some side roads are bumpier and windier than others. Don't let mistakes keep you down. Don't let failure keep you down. No matter what, keep on traveling and God will ensure that you get where you need to be.
April
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