Which is it, really? What does scripture say?

[GaryA]

Someone recently said the following to me:

"I guess the mind of man makes his plans but the Lord directs his steps?"

And, it got me to thinking...


So - what I am curious about is - what scriptural basis is there for any of the following:

~ God has a very general plan for each of us.

We are allowed to plan our life, in general terms - what we do for a living, who we marry, etc. -- as long as we stay close to Him, He will give us the things we desire.

~ God has a very specific plan for each of us.

We are not allowed to plan our life, in general terms - what we do for a living, who we marry, etc. -- He has all of these things planned for us, and we only achieve having the things we want if they match exactly what He wants for us.

When we get "off track" from His will, He takes things away from us. When we get "on track" to His will, He lets us have things.

( By 'things', I don't necessarily mean 'material' things; rather, a broader definition is indicated - including 'situations' in life, etc. )

~ God has a plan for each of us that is 'part' general and 'part' specific.

The best example of this I can think of is a 'call' to do a specific thing ( i.e. - "a call to preach" ) -- whereby, God "demands" that He has ordained that [ a specific individual ] is to dedicate their life to a specific "calling" with no option to do anything else but that. And, if - and, for as long as - that [ individual ] does not realize, accept, and follow that specific "calling" - they are pretty much 'miserable' in life because God will not let them have anything in life that is worthwhile until they fully submit to that 'call' to do that specific thing.

What is different about this option, as compared to the previous option, is that -- as long as the [ individual ] does the specific thing God wants them to do ( involving preaching, music, etc. - whatever ), "anything goes" for the 'general' aspects of their life -- i.e. - God seems to let them have anything they desire as long as they are doing that specific thing.


Is it mix-and-match? Does God give one individual one of these options, but a different option to another individual? Does God allow some a 'general' option and others a 'specific' option?


Moreover - what scriptural basis is there for the idea that the one very specific singular 'calling' that is "preaching" is considered an 'exclusive' and 'different' calling than any other calling -- subject to and treated by God to be a singularly unique calling - separate from any other calling.


If you are a preacher - "called to preach" ( i.e. - you 'feel' that you are / were "called to preach" by God ) - please answer the following:

How do / did you know-that-you-know-that-you-know that God specifically called you to preach? ( In a way that leaves you no option to decline it. )

Are you absolutely-absolutely-absolutely sure about the call, or do / did you just kind-of "think" that the call was there and decided to follow after it to see "if that was it"...?

After posing this to several preachers I have met, only one said that they absolutely-knew-without-a-doubt about the call.

How many have been called to "preach", but not to be a 'pastor'?

( If you do not wish to post an answer to any of these questions in the thread, please PM me -- "I promise" to keep your answer(s) private if you so wish. )


I know that dedicating your life to preaching is a special calling. But - is it the only calling that cannot be declined?


Has anyone ever experienced a calling - other than "a call to preach" - that you truly felt allowed no option to decline it?


Aside from "a call to preach", does God call anyone to be anything else specific? --- an accountant? - an engineer? - a mechanic? - a salesperson? --- without the option to decline it?


Has anyone followed after your desire to do something - like ( for example ) - what you wanted to do for a living - for many years of your life -- only to experience that life itself seemed to absolutely refuse to let you do it - no matter what?


Has anyone ever felt like God allowed you to acquire an abundance of knowledge, know-how, and experience in something -- but then - does not seem to want to let you do any good with it in the world?


Has anyone ever felt like God wanted you to do something --- but, would not tell you what it was?


What do you think?

 

[Willie-T]

“Love God and do as you please.”

I think that is a great statement.

Don’t agree? Well, don’t label me a heretic just yet.

That is actually a quote from St. Augustine of Hippo, or rather a modern version of a quote from Him.

Augustine’s exact quote within it’s surrounding context is this: “Once for all, then, a short precept is given thee: Love, and do what thou wilt: whether thou hold thy peace, through love hold thy peace; whether thou cry out, through love cry out; whether thou correct, through love correct; whether thou spare, through love do thou spare: let the root of love be within, of this root can nothing spring but what is good.”

And to offer the modern translation of that last phrase in the paragraph, I have seen it translated this way: “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”

Now, let me reiterate. I think that is a great statement.

(Not my words, but I agree with this.)

 

[Zi]

Who said all of my days were recorded in His book before I seen even one of them.. I believe we have our days written out and it's up to us to find out what they say we should be doing...

Giving us the desires of our heart aren't necessarily what we think they are.. why do people sin? A desire they have.. we are drawn away by our desires.. desire for what? Shoes, houses, to smoke etc? No those are what we see as fillers for the desires.. desire is to be loved, accepted, to be content, feel fulfillment.. and so on

 

[oldethennew]

since 'conversion', my Spirit has been in training to Love Jesus first and I definitely
don't want to offend Him, - my work has been in training myself in not offending
myself also when trying to please Him in all of my ways...this is my goal, to please Him
in every way that I can, for what He has done for me and you...

I believe that it is a universal Law, to Love as you have been Loved...
Jesus will show us His ways and means: we just have to remember that we are all
'unique' in the ways that He teaches us, and we must not take offence in what He
asks from each of us according to our own personalities and special Love for Him...
this should always be an area of rejoicing for our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus...

 

[GaryA]

Thank you for the comments thus far.

However, I was really hoping for more.

No comments from preachers? No PMs, even?

 

[FranC]

I believe Willie has hit it on the nose.

I know some priests personally that have told me why they became priests.
(I'm not Catholic)

One did it because he had no other choice. Poverty, etc.
Older priests convinced him it was the right thing to do. But he's one of the best "pastors" I know, in the true sense of the word.

One decided when he was about 33. He really felt a calling. He's a great priest and a holy person. He's about 53 now.

Another one I know (not personally) was called at about the age of 10. They say the best priests and pastors are called at an early age. He's Young, about 30, and a very good and understanding priest.

I also know of two who have left the priesthood because they realized they made a mistake. They DO have 7 or 8 years of seminary school to figure it out, but it still happens.

They say that if one is called to be a priest, he must LOVE to say the Mass.

I don't know any pastors so personally that we would talk about these things.

I do agree with your O.P. Our freedom is a combination of both.
People that wait for God to send them a mate, might end up alone.

It's looking for what God would WANT FOR YOU, that let's you pick the right mate.

Just an example since this is the most I hear of when speaking about God's will.

 

[GaryA]

Is it mix-and-match? Does God give one individual one of these options, but a different option to another individual? Does God allow some a 'general' option and others a 'specific' option?

I really meant to use the word 'plan' in this paragraph instead of the word 'option'.

( "Sorry 'bout that..." )

 

[breno785au]

I think James said it pretty well:

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
James 4:13*-‬15 NLT

We have the ability to plan, but for us who belong to the Lord, I think we ought to pray and ask God what He wills us. What direction we should go?
I know its not easy when you get those times or continual silence when asking, but He has also given us a rational mind and I don't think He wants us to freeze in fear of making a mistake - something I'm still learning personally.
Proverbs is loaded with scriptures about making plans and committing your works to the Lord, haven't got the time right now to post any.

 

[oldethennew]

PS. 37:23-24.
The steps of a good man are ordered by The LORD: and He delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for The LORD upholds him with His hand.

 

[JonahLynx]

I think God makes a bunch of people with different attributes and sets them loose with their talents and abilities "to see" what they do with them. And He waits for those who ask for His guidance in the futility of it all.