I recently had an interesting discussion with a family member who said that he wasn't convinced that God had a perfect plan for every believer. I begged to differ with him. The promise above belongs to every child of God, and it's important that all of us believe it and live each day of our lives as though it's true. If we don't, we are at risk of spending a lifetime trying to figure out where we should go, what we should do, and who we should be with. God told the prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV) Our call may be different from Jeremiah's, but it's just as important for us to fulfill our purpose as it was for Jeremiah to fulfill his. We are not called to duplicate or imitate anyone else in this life. We are called to become all that God has destined US to be. When we hand God the "steering wheel" of our lives--giving Him complete control--He begins to unveil His plans for us, one step at a time. He usually doesn't reveal the "big picture" to us all at once because we'd either become fearful, or have an attitude that says, "Okay, God--I can take it from here!" The Lord knows that we need His constant help, so He wisely encourages our dependence on Him.

So why are so many believers afraid of surrendering themselves to God? Perhaps they are afraid that the Lord would ask them to do something they despise, or something that doesn't fit their idea of success. The truth is that we can never be truly happy or successful apart from fulfilling our God-given purpose. Suppose the Lord created you to be a bus driver. He could abundantly supply all your needs, and fill your life with real purpose and meaning as a bus driver, simply because that's your God-given call in life. But suppose you decide you don't want to be a bus driver--you'd rather be a teacher. So you go through all of the expense and training of becoming a teacher, and you never find true peace, joy, or satisfaction because you're living your life doing something that God never created you to do. There's always something missing in your life, and you can't deny the emptiness you feel every time you have to face a new day. The truth of the matter is that because God called you to be a bus driver, He has equipped you to enjoy being one. You surely won't enjoy every aspect of your call, but it doesn't matter so much, because you have a deep-down satisfaction in your soul that says, "This feels right for me." Sadly, a lot of believers don't follow their God-given call, simply because of what other people might say or think. Then they wonder why they aren't experiencing the abundant life that Jesus died to give them.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." When God designed you, He equipped you with everything you would need to fulfill your God-given purpose. He's given you gifts and skills that He wants to help you develop over the course of your life. If you ask Him what they are, He'll show you. He may direct you to get some special education or training, or He may not. The key to fulfilling your God-given call is to seek the Lord DAILY. Don't wait until you're at a crossroads in your life, having to make an important decision that will affect your whole future. If you do, chances are that you will significantly delay receiving the rich rewards God has in store for you. Hebrews 11:6 (TLB) says: "You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God, and that He rewards those who sincerely look for Him." If you live your life depending on God's wisdom, guidance, and grace daily, you can count on Him to lead you in the path of His greatest blessings. The truth is that there is NO WAY for us to improve on God's perfect plan for our lives. The sooner we get a hold of this truth, the sooner we can begin cooperating with Him to bring it to pass in our lives--and the sooner we can begin reaping His blessed rewards!

Prayer: Lord, I believe that You created me for a special purpose, and that You have a perfect plan for my life. I ask that You fulfill Your purpose for me, and help me to do my part by earnestly seeking You daily through prayer and Your Word. Thank You that as I seek You each day, You will guide me along the "best pathway" for my life! (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

- J. M. Farro