We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives.
(Col. 1:9)
Did you know there’s a book about you? God wrote it before you were conceived in your mother’s womb:
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
(Ps. 139:16 NLT)
What a staggering thought! Every day of your life is recorded in this book. And even more overwhelming, it’s not just each day that’s noted in God’s plan. He planned out every hour, every moment.
Each life is unique and special. It is by no means an accident or lost among the details of the lives of other people. No one is common or menial. We all were created for a unique, extraordinary path.
In His book about your life, God has recorded the accomplishments He intends for you. Yes, God has set goals for you! Paul tells us:
…We are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus…that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us…that we should walk in them…
(Eph. 2:10 AMP)
God planned your paths beforehand—but notice that Paul writes, “that we should walk in them.”Should, not must. Free will comes into effect here because fulfilling these assignments isn’t automatic. We have to cooperate with God’s plan.
God has set the goals, but it’s up to us to discover what’s recorded for our lives through prayer, reading His Word, and other spiritual means. Then, by His grace, we can fulfill them.
God’s plan for our lives is extraordinary! Do you want to discover His will for you? I encourage you to personalize Paul’s prayer:
We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will, with all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. Then you will be able to live as the Lord wants and will always do what pleases him.
(Col. 1:9–10 TEV)
As the Holy Spirit begins to reveal His plan for you, make record of what He speaks. Write down His promises and the goals He gives you so you can refer to them often and commit them to God in prayer!
Excerpt permission granted by Messenger International.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
John and Lisa cofounded Messenger International in 1990. Over the last few decades, Messenger has grown into a discipleship organization that makes millions of resources available to people across the globe, regardless of their location, language, or financial position. John and Lisa are also best-selling authors and international speakers. When they’re at home in beautiful Tennessee, you’ll find John chasing a golf ball while Lisa is whipping up her latest coffee concoction.