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The Bible shows us, through various testimonies and scriptures, that God has a plan for each of us. He wants to fill our existence here on earth with things that have eternal value and far surpass earthly notions of a meaningful life, such as happiness in one's career, family, or personal fulfillment.
The question of God's plan for the personal life of every Christian here on earth is very important and should not remain unanswered. Building on this, the question then arises: how can I succeed in living according to God's plan? In a modified form, this topic is not only something Christians grapple with.
Many people are searching for the true meaning of their lives. This is also reflected in the fact that this question has been addressed by various philosophers, poets, thinkers, and scientists. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced, consumer-driven society, this question is increasingly being pushed into the background. Alongside questions like where humans come from and where they go after death, this question, when pursued openly and honestly, always leads back to God.
1. How well do we know our Lord?
Essential for the proper execution and acceptance of God's plan is that we truly know the Lord. His plan takes on a completely different meaning in our lives when we consider who God is. What defines this almighty, holy God, and what are His attributes? What is His relationship to us, and what characterizes His actions toward us? God speaks the following words to the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah: “You will seek me and find me. For when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13-14).
God desires to be found! Essentially, He reveals Himself through His Word. He Himself says of Himself: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). For example, God gave the Law to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai so that they might recognize God's attributes such as holiness, love, and justice through the commandments. This understanding was meant to shape their lives and actions, enabling them to enter into fellowship with God once again. God's attributes are reflected above all in His actions, which the Bible also recounts in detail. Here we learn of His plan of salvation, His boundless love, His grace, and His patience.
Furthermore, God reveals Himself in His creation. Paul describes it in his letter to the church in Rome as follows: “For since the creation of the world His invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen and understood from what has been created, so that people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Through nature, we recognize God's greatness and omnipotence, and it shows us how small we are next to the almighty God. It awakens in us a fear of God, which in turn significantly influences the direction of our earthly plans.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Above all, we recognize in both Scripture and His creation that God loves us immensely. He creates for us an environment that is perfect, harmonious, and consistent down to the smallest detail. Indeed, on the cross at Golgotha, His great love for us becomes clear in a very special way. A love of service that extends even to martyrdom. Jesus speaks these words to His disciples: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
2. Accept God's plan
From the Bible we know the story of the rich young man who asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life. Jesus replies that he should sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. Unfortunately, the rich young man decides against Jesus's advice (cf. Mark 10:17-22).
Personally, I've wondered what would have happened to the rich young man if he had actually sold everything back then. What was God's original plan for the rich young man? Would his actions perhaps have been like those of Jesus' disciples? We don't know, but this story shows me that we can also reject God's plan. Jesus uses the following phrase in his address to the rich young man: "And take up your cross!" (Mark 10:21). Taking up one's cross takes on a very special significance in this context.
Seeing God's omnipotence and greatness in nature awakens in us the fear of God, which in turn significantly influences the direction of our earthly plans.
The old, sinful self, yearning for wealth, prestige, and a comfortable life here on earth, must be crucified within itself so that we can accept God's plan. In the case of the rich young man, it was his wealth that he refused to relinquish. It gave him the opportunity to live his life according to his own desires. At this point, I don't want to condemn everything as inherently bad, but rather encourage reflection on whether there might be something in our lives that holds a higher priority than fulfilling God's plan.
These can be things that, at first glance, seem perfectly fine: a hobby, one's house, family, or profession. Jesus says in this context: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever holds onto their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).
3. God promises us His support
We are to represent Christ here on earth. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul calls it being "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20). What a wonderful, yet also great task! However, carrying out this mission can sometimes be very uncomfortable for us. Being ambassadors for Christ also means encountering resistance and problems, just as we see in the life of Jesus Christ on this earth. "If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:17).
However, God does not leave us alone with this task and does not burden us with more than we can bear. When Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection and before He ascended back to His Father in heaven, He encouraged them with these words: “And behold, I am sending you the promise of my Father. But as for you, remain in the city of Jerusalem until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
As the story unfolds, the event of Pentecost in Jerusalem clarifies what Jesus meant by the power from on high. It is the Holy Spirit, given to us, who works within us and enables us to accomplish deeds we could not otherwise achieve. It is both the gifts of the Holy Spirit that work within us and His power that challenges our physical being. But Paul exhorts us to live by the Spirit and allow ourselves to be led by Him (cf. Romans 8:13-14).
The old, sinful person, who yearns for wealth, prestige, and a comfortable life here on earth, must be crucified within himself so that we can consent to God's plan.
Furthermore, God has endowed us with wonderful talents, each one unique. These talents help us to fulfill His mission and be valuable workers in His field. God, our loving Father, desires to glorify Himself individually through you and me. As described in Matthew 10:39, we find true life in carrying out God's plan—a life characterized by fulfillment and deep peace in a vibrant relationship with the Lord. He gives us things the world can never offer. For only when we drink from the true fountain of life will we never thirst again (cf. John 4:14).
Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations follow the Luther 2009 translation.
Leon Meister
Municipality of Oldenburg