What if there is no plan for your life?

[Conquer]

I hear many people say. Gods plan for my life. Etc Etc. But life in many ways look pointless. Is there really something like a personal plan for you life?
Or do things occur the way they occur... And is there really been thought about every step im going to make. There are a lot of things I do naturally. What if it doesnt matter what i do.
For me it is often not only a feeling but a thing my mind can confirm.

 

[4given30]

psalm 139 brother.meditate on it and ask god to speak to you through it-he wants to share with you his plans.

 

[thefightinglamb]

I want to be a bit more pessemestic here, as I was in another post as well...

I'll start off with personal testimony. On sunday, I didn't know where to go to church--as the baptist/non-denominatinal church congregation had always related to me on a very superficial or elementary level...the pentecostal church didn't want me...the catholic church suffocates me...the Lutheran church exasperates me...anyway, I was in my car driving to a church... I saw a poor hitchhiker, I pick him up and ask where he wants to go...He says down in gunea, with other things I take him there, he suggests going to a baptist church I had been to once and he had gone to all of his life...I tell him I'll go there if he goes with me...he tells me he won't so I won't...I consider going to a quaker church thats down near his house because its simple (and it is obvious where churches are astray when they are simple)... Next, I go to a church that says 'church of the living word' (I thought Jesus Christ is the living word plus it accents of the Bible being acive and living--so its a good name for a church) ...I park in the parking space, and walk into a building that is separate from two other buildings that says sanctuary..I walk into a small foyer before the church and I see an all black bible study going on...I was kind of tired and didn't feel like being the white sheep...so I walk out and start driving...I pass a catholic church I used to go to every wednesday...I drive to a baptist/holiness movement/non-denominational church I have attended for about 9 weeks all together (though sporatically, not in a row)...I arrive there and start wondering what I'm doing there...I leave and go to a parking lot for icees that is closed for the winter and I park to think and pray...I believe there may be people at the baptist/nondenominational church I first attended when I turned to the LORD that I can have true fellowship with, but I think this church I am closer too now may be more uplifting...

These our the words the Lord showed and gave me then: It is all me (that is the Lord) you can do NOTHING. Why is this important? Because this sinful problematic situation I am having only happens because I believe it matters somehow where I am at (which is true) but not the fact that it doesn't matter where I go (because only what the Lord wills is going to happen anyway)...sounds like a contradiction to hold on to both sides, but it is true...If the Lord wills something it will happen, so I should never contemplated on my own where to go; but also the Lord will work through whereever he takes me to his glory...

And unlike a lot of Christians I take verses like rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep seriously...you are not going to be enthusiastic for everything always...If the Lord gives you like the LORD a cup of sorrow will you not drink it?

That being said...in one way our lives are futile because from our point of view our wills (and thus what you are using to question even if life has meaning is pointless because the thing asking it is pointless or futile) have no signifigance whatsoever..read Ecclesiastes...and also the Psalms hint of this, though I wouldn't suggest the psalm above, unless you need to be uplifted...

Psalm 39 (verses 4-6, 7 I added just to add some cheer to the passage though it does not relate to what you are writing about)

Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my day: let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handsbreath : the span of my years are as nothing before you, each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro; he bustles about but only in vain; he heaps up weath not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

90 (verse 10)

The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow for they quickly pass and we fly away.

89 (verses 46-48)

How long, O Lord? WIll you forget me forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire?
Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all men!
What man can live and not see death or save himself from the power of the grave?

But, on the other side, the Spirit of the Lord assures us that their is some meaning to deep and unfathomable in its greatness that is coming to completion in and through our very lives (especially if we are in Christ, but even through non-believers as well, often or always against their own wills though)...

So yes God has a plan and also life is pointless...we are to do whatever the Lord wills and wants...and He wills and wants freely whatever He wills and wants...if we disobey we add confusion and darkness to our own lives...but to help, Paul says the Spirit of god discern the things of God--so it helps us more so then people the Israelites of the Old testament to see that, yes their is some meaning in what we are doing, though it is more like a meaning that is meaningless...meaning (lol) that it is not one point (as that word suggests) or one meaning but it is a full or complete understanding of what is happening that has meaning...

Anyway, God bless and do whatever the Lord shows and wills for only in this will you see and feel his face.\
tony.

ps...I just remembered two other good responses to this question...One the meaning is love, it is why Jesus came and died...but love isn;t really a meaning...and the other is to become like the LORD and so that those still caught in sin have time to come to repentence and start believing...this might be more of a meaning--our lives are meant to reflect Christ in ever increasing radiance.

 

[sonofjay817]

There is a plan for each one of us. The plan, boiled down to its simplest form I believe, is to love God and bring glory to His name. If we come to do that well, we have had a successful life. Of course, our heart can only be brought in right relation to Him by first having our sins forgiven through His Son Jesus Christ.

After that, we are to love people and be a light on a hill for all those around us. I'm not that old, but I've lived long enough to realize something quite profound that has really started effecting my attitude lately. Fulfillment in life is only found in relationships. The sinful flesh, or Satan, or both (I'm not always sure which it is) convinces us its to be had through prestige, status, possessions, sex, and recreation. I'm not sure prestige and status are ever worthy goals, but the other two have their place in a godly context, yet again, the thing that really gives lasting joy more than wordly pleasures is relationships. Without that, carnal pleasures and great wealth becomes gall in ones mouth after a season.

Its really a liberating thought. When we feel helpless because we may not be as smart or as good looking (which helps a great deal in achieving worldly pleasures) as the next fellow, we still have access to the greatest pleasures of all; loving God, and loving people.

I know it sounds cliche and may even seem lame, and I've had this head knowledge for quite a while but for some reason I've really started grasping the reality of it lately. I've never really disliked people in general, but I was not really the sort taht would take a great deal of interest in people I casually come in contact with. However, I've found that when I am walking with God, my love for all people grows and I really take joy and feel it an honor to be able to spend time talking with one of God's great creations. I think the closer we come to God, the more we grow to view people the way God views them; as what they can be potentially, and not what they necessarily are presently. Once we've come to this place, joy is everywhere to be found. Of course, this is a double edged sword for the more we love, the more vulnerable we make ourselves, but we are to do this nonetheless and follow Christ's example.

 

[sonofjay817]

I realize my last post may seem rambling and off topic, but I think its relevant. When one talks about his/her life and God's plan, its really all about finding joy, fulfillment, and one's greater purpose. Remember the words of Christ, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. This is the greatest command and the second one is like it; to love your neighbor as yourself."

 

[Slepsog4]

The OT Law of Moses dictated many many parts of a person's life. Food, clothing, hair, holidays, etc.. The NT is much different in this regard.

Why do we think that God has dictated everything in advance? Christianity in contrast to Judaism is like an adult compared to a child.

We are free to decide how we want to work out our salvation. We are free to choose or to choose otherwise.

We have parameters and principles to work within, but whatever we choose to do we should be able to honor God in it and bring Him glory.

 

[olivetree32]

I hear many people say. Gods plan for my life. Etc Etc. But life in many ways look pointless. Is there really something like a personal plan for you life?
Or do things occur the way they occur... And is there really been thought about every step im going to make. There are a lot of things I do naturally. What if it doesnt matter what i do.
For me it is often not only a feeling but a thing my mind can confirm.

i heard a pastor say once, if you are saved and are alive than that means God has a plan for your life and wants to use you. I belive that. It means, God is not done with you yet.
so here are some verses i hope encourage you my brother.
Pro 16:9A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Pro 20:24A man's steps [are] of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way?Jer 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.Jhn 14:27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.one thing we can count on is Jesus Christ! amen. when the world fails, or even my own ideas, i know God has a better plan for me tomorrow. i know are lives are but a vapor, and somtimes we don't know what tomorrow holds.Jam 4:14whereas you do not know what [will happen] tomorrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
But all of God's promises are in His living word, so we can count on it.
your life matters and the things you do matter also. not just how you have an affect on other people, but your walk with God. God likes to reward HIs kids, but i belive as HIs word says, we are going to have rewards in heaven. Jesus spoke of His reward being with Him.Rev 22:12"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward [is] with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
if you want to know what God wants has for you, pray and fast even if you can, and if not, ask and you will recieve, seek and you will find, knock and doors will be opend.
Mat 7:8For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

 

[Kyra]

First, this sentiment reminds me of Ecclesiastes and I have been there. Sometimes life seems purposeless and pointless.

But this world is so much more then what we can see- I know this with all that I am. There is a personal plan for your life- not because I say it or because anyone else says it but because God says it ( again and again in the bible) and VERY pointedly in Ephesians!

Read Ephesians. You will realize how specifically God has chosen you and how specific His plan is for you.

One of my pers. favorite verses :
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

That's you and me! We are His workmanship and we have work to do. You are on earth for a reason. And even though it sounds general- it's not. There are people God will bless through you. Names only He knows- until you meet them- then you will know too. And He will use your talents, your weaknesses, your experiences and your choice.

One of my favorite things about this site is meeting people and seeing their talents and how God is using them. It's so cool because peoples' gifts flow out of them and sometimes they aren't even aware of the light they shine. But God is and that is why He created them- in every sense of the word. So yes you have a specific purpose, whether you feel like it or not, and I am one of the many who are glad you are alive.

 

[olivetree32]

amen Kyra, well said sister!

 

[Missy]

The light has a purpose, but then so does the darkness. Even a void has a purpose. The unsaved have a purpose. The saved have a purpose. Everything God made, He did not make in vein.

You, Conquer are a loved child of God, and part of His vast creation, which He placed in the creation. If He placed you in this vast creation, then you are a part of it, just as everyone and everything is a part of it. NOTHING AND NO ONE EXCLUDED!!!!!!!!!!

The proof of that is that Christ died for us, ALL of us, all of mankind, of which you are a part of. He knew youl, before you were ever born.

Stop worrying about what your purpose is and just live. If God wants you somewhere else, He'll show you what that is, in His time, and in His way, that will leave no question in your mind. God has a way of getting our attention, that is right for us, individually.

Just be happy. You are loved.

 

[carpetmanswife]

even whats seems at the time to be a very meaningless task may be what someone needs just to keep going,im thinking of an e-mail*junk mail at that*i recieved awhile back and kept it because i liked a picture on it , i was reminded of this email recently i looked it up read the entire thing again and the words AND pictures were VERY encouraging to me helped me sort thru some very intense situations in my life ,someone took the time to send me that email not knowing what it would mean to me at a very difficult time in my life.God can take anything and use it to His advantage and for His purposes we never know when He is doin just that .