When You Mess Up God's Perfect Plan for Your Life (Is There One?)

There's a popular evangelistic tool that begins "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." I was trying to think of any Bible verses about God's plan, and the only one that came to mind was one that says God thinks about us in a positive way.* It's not the same as saying God has a distinct life plan already set for you.

Does the Bible actually say God has a master plan for people's lives? It depends on how you look at it. The word plan(s) doesn't appear in the King James Version even one time. But, the Bible gives us a good idea about God's will—in a more general way. He wants us to:

• Obey Jesus unto salvation. Hebrews 5:9
• Put God first. Matthew 6:33
• Keep Jesus' commandments. John 14:15
• Recognize that everything that comes into our lives is for our ultimate good. Romans 8:28
• Display the fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 1:9-11; Galatians 5:22-23
• Be holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:13
• Give thanks in everything. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• Do good. 1 Peter 2:15

Instead of a mapped out plan for each person's life, God provides guidelines, and He also promises to be our Guide.

• He will teach sinful people who are willing to learn. Psalm 25:8, 12; 32:8; Proverbs 4:11; 8:20
• God will actually light our path step by step with His Word. Psalm 119:105, 133
• God is our Guide. Psalm 31:3; 48:14; 73:24; John 16:13 (Holy Spirit)

I love these verses: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

But, all of us mess up sometimes. We make bad choices. We sin. We forget about asking God for His guidance, and we might even get away from the Lord, for a time not even considering what He wants.

When we make mistakes, does that mean the whole wonderful plan gets ripped up and thrown in the trash can? Does this mean that we can never have a life that pleases God? Do we have to settle for second best? Do we even get in on God's plan at all?

I am so thankful for God's Word. It says, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sins. All of them. If you have accepted His incredible gift of redemption, you have been saved. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).

I believe there's no one so far gone that they can't be turned around and have a happy, victorious life in Jesus.

How can someone who's messed up get back on track? There's a simple little verse in 1 John, Chapter 1 that tells what a Christian needs to do to get back into fellowhip with the Lord. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (verse 9).

Do you remember the Apostle Paul? He was a great missionary, founding churches, strengthening believers, and suffering for the Lord—with joy. But, before he knew the Lord, he persecuted the church and was even responsible for imprisoning and murdering believers. And God chose to use Him.

If you, like Paul, think you're less than the least of all saints (Ephesians 3:8), remember that God rejoices in those who want to do His will. He can lead you and He will guide you.

Is there a perfect plan for our life, all mapped out and waiting for us to do it? No, I don't think so. Even perfect Adam and Eve could not remain sinless. Can God use us from wherever we are at this moment? Of course, if we're willing to trust Him step by step.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

But the path of the just is as the shining light,

that shineth more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

________

* Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.