THE PURPOSE, THE PLAN & THE WILL

Jeremiah 29:11, a familiar passage tells us that the Lord has a plan for our lives, not to harm us, but to give us a hope and a future. Through the spirit of adoption we come to know that we have been predestined, justified and sanctified to carry out the plans birthed in our lives.

Where many people may struggle with their purpose in life, God defines the purpose for mankind. We are created to bring Him glory in the earth. Bringing Him glory can only start out by having in covenant relationship with Him. In that relationship we glorify Him with how we live and move. We give Him glory through praise and acknowledging Him before men. We give Him glory by following His commandments and what He calls us to do.

The purpose He gives us comes through in parenting, in being a wife, in the market place, on the job, in the community, in ministry, through the businesses, in our finances, with our education, in our relationships. Sometimes with the routine in life, we can feel like or ask the question, "Is this all?" In the routine of life, that can feel mundane, there is purpose and impact that we are depositing, that we are influencing, that we are imparting. If we really know that life is worth living, we also know that we have purpose, no matter how small it may seem to us. A gentle can go a long way to someone who just happens to look your way. A nod can be the affirmation someone needs in the bad day they may have experienced. You paying for a coffee, a meal or groceries is the love and kindness needed in a world that is so self centered.

Therefore, the plan is how God wants us to live out His purpose. It is the plan of God that puts us in strategic places, has us collaborating with others, gives us opportunities to meet unlikely people or opens unexpected doors of promotion and advancement. Sometimes the how God may fulfil His plan in our lives may seem hurtful, but it is to get us to an expected in. It was hurtful the way Joseph was treated. However, through the hatred, the lies, the betrayal and being forgotten, he was promoted (Ya'll hear me!). After it was all said and done- him earning to forgive, him learning to trust God in the process, him learning to forgive and not be bitter was worth seeing the plan fulfilled. He was in the place that God needed him to be in.

His Purpose and His Plan is fulfilled when our will aligns with His Will. Joseph had a dream and he may not have known what it really meant. I think that's why he was telling his family about it. He may have wanted some guidance. But because they didn't understand and only saw the little portion of the dream instead of the big picture, they became hateful and jealous. His father didn't even know what to do with the dream, so he just pondered it in his heart. Joseph had to have a resolve and believe in the dream for His Will to be accomplished. We have to align and allow the purpose and plan of God in our lives to be fulfilled that gives Him glory. We will not always understand everything in our lives and the whys in life. But one thing is for sure. God sees us; He knows us; He loves us; He cares for us. And He will always see us through and place us and have us to accomplish HIs Will in the earth. We are here in the family business, to do the Will of our Father.

Be encouraged!