Have a life of significance.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

God’s plans for us may be markedly different than anything we want or expect out of life. I vividly remember wanting a career related to the degree I received, and I wanted to be successful within that career. I knew exactly what I wanted, and how to get what I wanted, but God called me to work within a ministry, totally the opposite of what I wanted, helping out women in need. My plans were focused on glorifying myself, God’s plans for my life were to bring glory to Him.

This is what Amy Carmichael said about how she felt about God’s plan for her life and the call to be a missionary:

Never, I think, not even in Heaven shall I forget that parting. It was such a rending thing that I never wanted to repeat it . . . Even now my heart winces at the thought of it. The night I sailed for China, March 3, 1893, my life, on the human side, was broken, and it never was mended again. But He has been enough.

Our plans may be changed by God, and they may not be exactly what we want in life, but as Amy Carmichael says, He is enough. Are you willing to surrender to God’s will so He can use you? If He calls you to be a janitor or leave your executive position for a low-paying ministry position, are you willing? Will you say “yes” no matter how painful it may be?

Dear Lord, please allow me to accept your plans for my life and to walk in them. Wherever you send me, I will go. Amen.

Take Action 

Surrender your plans to God’s design this very moment, wherever you are at, just do it!

Ravi Zacharias has an excellent message that further expands upon this idea, “Brittle Clay in Tender Hands: Part II” which can be heard here