JANUARY/FEBRUARY <strong>2019</strong> OHBELOVEDONE.COM PLANS FOR YOU “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever — the purposes of his heart through all generations.” Psalms 33:11 clipart created by Freepik p l a n s f o r y o u by rebecca caraway OH BELOVED ONE | 12
JANUARY/FEBRUARY <strong>2019</strong> OHBELOVEDONE.COM PLANS FOR YOU PURPOSE. It’s a word we hear quite often. But what does it really mean? Why do we need to have one? How can we find our purpose and glorify God through it? Let’s start simple. What does purpose mean? The dictionary definition of the word purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” But what does the Bible say about purpose? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 So what are these plans God has for us and how do we find it? It always makes me sad when I hear songs where the singer wishes they knew what the point of life is, or I see movie characters wonder what their purpose is. If you look around at a lot of the nonbelievers in your life, you will notice that a lot of them are lost and, honestly, it’s heartbreaking. I’m so blessed that, because I’m a child of God, I know what my purpose is. Now you may be asking, “I’m saved but I still don’t know what God’s plan for me is. Is that a bad thing?” The answer is no! God just hasn’t revealed the plan he has for you yet. But, until you know what you want to do with the rest of your life, there are some things you can do to glorify God. chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Our purpose as Christians is to glorify God and shine his light through our actions and words. As his chosen people, it is our responsibility to share his word with everyone. So does that mean we all need to be missionaries and pastors’ wives? No. The truth is, most of us aren’t meant to be pastors’ wives and missionaries. But, you can share the Word of God in other ways: with people in your work, school, and your younger siblings. If you’re a mom, then share with the parents involved in your kid’s school. So we covered what our purpose is as Christians but, let’s be honest: sharing God’s Word does not pay the bills (though God will provide for us, He also says He helps those who help themselves). So how do we find our purpose here on earth while also fulfilling our purpose to God? Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” So, what we have planned may be different from what God has planned for us. How do we know what God’s plan for us is? The truth is many of us will spend years trying to figure out what God has planned for us. Some of us know when we’re children exactly what job we want and what school to go to, but others may be in their twenties and still not know. That’s all part of God’s plan. If you still don’t know what your purpose for here on earth is, then the best thing you can do is pray. Pray that God reveals his plans to you and also pray that you will be open and ready when He reveals his plans. meet the author Rebecca lives in Southern California with her eight younger siblings. She is currently a senior in high school and plans to study journalism and English in college. She loves spending time with friends, listening to music, and writing. You can often find her in a coffee shop hanging out with friends. OH BELOVED ONE | 13