Pursuing God’s Highest Plan

Sometimes pursuing God’s will seems like gambling with the life we have for whatever is behind “door number three.” Opportunities come, new ideas are born, and decisions need to be made. Should I be content to continue with what I am doing or risk losing those things to follow another plan? How do I know what to do if I don’t know what is behind door number three?

God calls all of us to be disciples and then equips all of us with the abilities we need to fulfill his calling. We were gifted with the Holy Spirit and told to keep in step with his Spirit (Galatians 5:25). We are called to live moment to moment, ready to do God’s will. It seems like that concept worked better in the first century than it does today.

In the first century, people didn’t make vacation plans that were non-refundable. In the first century, people didn’t have multiple job opportunities and a vast number of educational options. In the first century, people didn’t have as many distractions as we do today. First-century Christians had much different lives than we do today. How can we apply ancient doctrine and theology to a twenty-first century culture?

For the first time in my life I watched a presidential inauguration from the beginning church service to the inaugural balls that evening. I found the process fascinating. We do live in a great country, albeit divided by our own strengths and freedoms. I tried to imagine what it would be like to take an oath that makes you a world leader or wake up in a bed that Abraham Lincoln once slept in. I wonder if sleep was even possible that first night in the White House.

The day after the inauguration we saw the movie The Founder. It was a fascinating story of Ray Kroc and the position he assumed with McDonalds. I won’t give away the story except to say it made me think about the differences between God’s definition of “great” and the world’s. We all make decisions in life that determine our consequences. Almost everyone has a moment when “door number three” must be chosen or declined.

I wonder when Donald Trump and Ray Kroc decided to go for door number three. I wonder if they would choose it again. Some decisions can’t be unmade. How can we be certain our path is the one God would choose for our lives?

Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” The only decisions a person can be certain are correct are God’s, and his answers are probably not what you would discern for yourself. God’s ways are great and hidden from our understanding. We must ask, trust, and obey in order to experience God’s highest plans for our lives.

Isaiah 30:21 says, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah and his contemporaries didn’t have God’s word sitting on their shelves at home. Isaiah knew he needed to keep his ears consistently tuned to God’s voice. We have unlimited access to God through Christ, but it is difficult to follow God’s voice unless you recognize it. Now is the best time to seek God’s ever present voice. Spend so much time in his word that when he speaks from the pages, it is easy to recognize his voice. Spend so much time in prayer that when he says, “This is the way, walk in it,” you know which choice he wants you to make. Spend so much time living in obedience that it is natural to walk his path and follow his voice, regardless of what the world is shouting.

The best way to pursue God’s highest plan for our lives is to pursue God. The best time to pursue him is right now. He is waiting for you to “call to him.” He has great and hidden ideas that you would never think of. And God has promised to always be present to direct your steps.

The world has changed a lot from the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah. God, however, remains unchanged. We can pursue God’s highest plan for our lives the same way the prophets did. They pursued God, followed his plan, and are now living with their great reward. How do you know whether to choose door number three? Ask God and wait for his answer. He knows what’s back there, every time.



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