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Welcome back, everybody.
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Welcome to the next episode of Bible basically.
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I am Dennis, and we have been figuring out our faith together.
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So today it's it's gonna be a weird question.
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It's not weird in the sense that it's off the wall.
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It's just I think it's a question that everybody's asked themselves, and they're not really sure what the answer is.
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And I gotta be honest, I'm not real sure either.
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I started doing the research for this and it it made sense, but I mean, when I asked the question, and and the reason I came up with it today is because gosh, I don't know either.
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So we're gonna we're gonna figure it out together this week.
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And the question really is does God really have a plan for my life?
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What what's what's what's the deal?
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Does God really have a plan?
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Is there really a plan?
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And the reason I asked that question is because we've all heard it.
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Right?
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We've all heard God has a plan for your life.
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I mean, if you've been around it, been around Christianity for any period of time, somebody has said that to you.
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Somebody told you when you were going through something difficult, or maybe you've seen it in a coffee mug or a t-shirt, you know, probably written in a picture over a mountain somewhere.
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And honestly, it's it's comforting.
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When you think about that, God has a plan for your life.
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It's comforting.
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But lately, like I said, I've been wondering, what exactly do we mean by that?
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Does God have a specific blueprint, like one specific blueprint from my entire life?
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One person that I'm supposed to marry, one city that I'm supposed to end up in, or one church that I'm supposed to attend?
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And if that's true, how do I figure it out?
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Because when you start thinking about it, suddenly God has a plan for your life, doesn't sound comforting anymore.
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Sounds a little terrifying because what if I screw it up?
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What if I take the wrong job or move to the wrong city or end up choosing door number two instead of door number one?
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And God's plan happens to be behind door number three?
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What if I made the wrong decision 10 years ago and it affected the rest of God's plan for my life?
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Am I still living in God's plan?
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Or am I now in some second best version of my life because I missed the turn?
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Am I in some weird multiversal scenario where the what ifs, you know, didn't happen the way they were supposed to?
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So today I just want to ask a question that sounds simple, but actually is pretty complicated.
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Does God really have a plan for my life?
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And maybe more importantly, what does the Bible actually mean when it talks about God's plan?
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You probably have to start with one of the most famous verses in the Bible, Jeremiah 29.11.
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And even if you don't know the reference, you probably know the words.
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Jeremiah 29.11 says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
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Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
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All right.
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So there it is, case closed.
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Great episode.
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God has a plan for your life.
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Thanks for listening.
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See you next week.
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Except, we should probably read the rest of the chapter.
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See, Jeremiah 11, Jeremiah 29, 11, excuse me, wasn't originally written to someone trying to decide whether or not to accept a new job or who's wondering who they should marry, or wasn't even really written to one person.
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It was part of a letter.
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And the people receiving the letter were trying or were living through something pretty terrible.
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The people who received Jeremiah 29, 11 were the people of Judah.
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The people of Judah had been conquered by Babylon, and Jerusalem had been attacked.
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People got taken from their homes, and most of them were now living in exiles.
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In Babylon, by the way.
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They weren't where they wanted to be.
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They didn't choose it.
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And there were false prophets telling them essentially, don't worry, this will all be over soon.
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And God sends a very different message through Jeremiah.
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So listen to what comes before verse 11.
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We're going to read now the entire, well, almost the entire thing.
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It's Jeremiah 29, 4 through 14, but that whole entire context.
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Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
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Build houses and live in them.
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Plant gardens and eat their produce.
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Take wives and have sons and daughters.
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Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters.
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Multiply there and do not decrease.
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But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
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For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream.
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For it's a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name.
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I didn't send them, declares the Lord.
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For thus says the Lord, when seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
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Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will hear you.
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You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
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I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I had sent you into exile.
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In fact, you're gonna be there about 70 years.
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Build houses, plant gardens, get married, have children, have your children have children, and pray for the city that you live in, because it's gonna be a minute.
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Right?
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In other words, live faithfully right where you are.
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So when we take that Jeremiah 29, 11 and we put it in context, truthfully, I think it gets better.
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Because sometimes, even though we don't think where we're at is where God wants us to be, it may be exactly where we're supposed to be.
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So sometimes people get nervous when you say a favorite Bible verse has been taken out of context, right?
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Like we're trying to take some sort of comfort thought away.
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And I actually think context makes this verse a lot more comforting.
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Once again, like I said, God's speaking to people whose lives did not look like the plan.
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They're displaced, they're living in enemy territory, their circumstances are nothing like what they wanted.
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And God says, hey man, don't worry, I haven't forgot about you.
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Your present circumstances haven't destroyed my purpose.
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There's still a future, there's still hope.
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But here's the part we don't put on coffee mugs.
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Some of the people who first heard that promise probably wouldn't live long enough to see the return from exile.
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See, 70 years is a long time.
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Wasn't necessarily God's promise that every individual's person's immediate circumstances would improve.
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It was a promise to his people.
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That promise was that he was still working his purpose through history.
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See, that's bigger than God has picked out the perfect career for me as an individual.
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All right.
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So let's break it down a little further.
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Does God care about my individual life?
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Woo.
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That's a question.
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Because we see the overarching plan, right?
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And I don't want to swing too far in the opposite direction because somebody could hear all of that and say, okay, God has some giant cosmic plan, but he doesn't really care what happens to me in my individual life.
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And that's not what scripture says either.
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Jesus says something pretty remarkable in Matthew, in Matthew 10, 29 through 31.
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Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
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And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father.
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But even the hairs on your head are all numbered.
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Fear not.
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Therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
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See, Jesus paints a picture of a God who is deeply aware of his creation.
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Even sparrows.
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And then Jesus says, you matter more than they do.
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So this isn't about God being distant.
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God cares about your life, cares about your decisions.
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He will guide you and he will call you and he will correct you.
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He'll open doors and sometimes he closes them.
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Scripture absolutely gives us examples of God directing people very specifically.
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But here's where I think we sometimes make a leap.
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We go from God guides my life to God has a hidden one exact blueprint for my life, and my job is to decode it.
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And I don't think the Bible acts us asks asks us to live that way.
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Should I take the job?
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Should I move?
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God, give me another sign.
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Should I take this person?
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God, if they're the one, let them text me in the next 10 minutes.
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And then your phone buzzes.
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And it's somebody calling you about your car's extended warranty.
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So now you're wondering if God wants you to extend the warranty on your car.
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Look, we laugh, but Christians genuinely do this.
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We can become terrified of ordinary decisions because we're convinced there's always one secret correct answer hidden around a corner.
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And God's just sitting there waiting to see if we can discover it.
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What if instead of hiding his will, God's already revealed an enormous amount of it?
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You see, the Bible actually tells us God's will.
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There's a fascinating verse in First Thessalonians.
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People spend years asking, What is God's will for my life?
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And then Paul basically just says in First Thessalonians 4, 3, or this is the will of God, your sanctification.
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Well, that is unusually direct.
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This is the will of God.
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Your sanctification.
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So that means God is deeply concerned with a person that you're becoming.
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Are you becoming more like Christ?
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Are you learning to love?
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Are you becoming more patient?
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More generous, more honest, more forgiving.
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More faithful, more holy.
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And maybe that's where we've sometimes gotten the emphasis backwards.
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We're asking, God, which job do you want me to take?
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And God might be much more concerned with who are you becoming in whichever job you take?
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So while we're asking, what city should I live in, maybe God is asking, will you love your neighbor wherever you live?
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And while we're asking, God, what's your plan for my entire life?
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And scripture brings us back to follow me today.
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Think about how much God has already told us.
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And Jesus gives us the greatest commandments, right?
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Matthew 22, 35 through 40, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
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Teacher.
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What is the greatest commandment in the law?
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And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.
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This is the great and first commandment.
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And second is like it.
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On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophet.
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So God's commandments are love God, love people.
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I want to say that again.
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Love God and love people.
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I mean, that's not everything scripture says about God's will, but it's certainly not vague.
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So maybe before we panic about the part of God's plan we don't know, we should ask ourselves how we're doing with the part he's already made perfectly clear.
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Love God.
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Love people.
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So I bring it back.
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Does God have a plan for your life?
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We're not quite ready to complete that answer yet, but I think that we can say a few things already.
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God has purpose, God cares about you individually, God guides his people, God knows things about your future that you don't, and God has revealed a great deal about how he wants you to live.
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But I am increasingly uncomfortable with the thought that Christianity is supposed to be a lifelong scavenger hunt for God's magic hidden blueprint.
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Because if that's true, one question becomes terrifying.
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What happens if I get it wrong?
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Because I'm gonna tell you right now, I have.
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I have.
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I've made stupid decisions.
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You have.
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Everybody has.
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We've made decisions we regret.
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We ignored wisdom.
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We walked through doors we probably shouldn't have.
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We have absolutely sinned and wasted opportunity.
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Sometimes we simply made the best decision we could and later discovered it wasn't a real good one.
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So what happens then?
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Can I ruin God's plan for my life?
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And I have jokingly said in the past: if anybody could ruin God's plan for my life, it's me.
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Right?
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I missed the life that God wanted for me.
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Am I living on plan B?
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Plan C, plan Q?
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And if God's plan depends on me making every decision correctly, how could any of us possibly have confidence that we're still in it?
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See, scripture contains story after story of human beings making an absolute mess of things.
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And somehow God keeps working.
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So can I ruin it?
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Because if God has one exact blueprint for my life, am I responsible for figuring out every step?
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I'll re-emphasize there is a very obvious issue with that.
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I'm going to get something wrong.
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How many times does God have to put something in front of me?
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I'll just say me.
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It's us, right?
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It's the universal me.
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But how many times does God have to put something in front of me before he says, you know what?
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Let's figure it out for yourself.
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Thankfully, that's not the picture that scripture paints for us.
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One of the clearest examples is Joseph.
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If you've spent any time in the Bible, you probably know his story.
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Joseph is one of Jacob's sons.
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He's favored by his father, his brothers are jealous of him, and eventually they decide to get rid of him.
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At first, some of them actually wanted to kill him.
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But instead, they sold him into slavery.
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He's taken to Egypt, he serves Potiphar's house.
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And then Potiphar's wife falsely accuses him, and Joseph ends up in prison.
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In prison, he helps another prisoner who promptly forgets about him.
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And eventually, after years of circumstances, Joseph did not choose.
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Pharaoh brings him out of prison because Joseph can interpret his dream.
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And Joseph then rises to become one of the most powerful men in Egypt.
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And then famine comes, and eventually the same brothers who sold Joseph into slavery arrive in Egypt looking for food.
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Years later, after the father dies, Joseph's brother become brothers become afraid, and they think, well, man, we done messed up now.
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He's going to get us back.
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And Joseph responds with one of the most important statements in the entire conversation.
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This is Genesis 50, 15 through 21.
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When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for the evil that we did to him.
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So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, Your father gave his command, gave this command before he died.
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Say to Joseph, please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.
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And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.
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Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
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His brothers also came and fell down before him, saying, Behold, we are your servants.
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But Joseph said to them, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
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As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.
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So do not fear.
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I will provide for you and your little ones.
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Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
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As that sentence right there is huge.
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I mean, they wanted to kill him, but they sold him into slavery.
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That is not cool.
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Calls it exactly what it was.
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It's evil.
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His brothers made real choices, and the choices were wrong.
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Joseph experienced real suffering because of them, and yet somehow their evil wasn't powerful enough to prevent God from working.
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Isn't that amazing?
00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.140
So God redeeming something doesn't make it good.
00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.580
And now what do I mean by that?
00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:54.940
See, the distinction matters because Christians sometimes say things like, everything happens for a reason.
00:24:55.180 --> 00:25:00.940
And depending on what somebody's going through, that phrase can land pretty horribly.
00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:08.540
When we experience something devastating and we rush in with, well, God has a plan.
00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:16.460
Well, maybe we mean it to be comforting, but we got to be careful because the Bible doesn't ask us to call evil good.
00:25:16.780 --> 00:25:17.820
See, Joseph doesn't.
00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:20.220
He says, You meant evil against me.
00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.259
Full stop.
00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:29.259
Some things that happen to us are consequences of our own choices.
00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:32.060
Some are consequences of somebody else's choice.
00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:35.580
Some are simply part of living in a broken world.
00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:43.340
Scripture does not require us to look at every tragedy and say, God must have wanted this to happen exactly this way.
00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:55.019
You see, what Scripture shows us again and again is that God is capable of bringing redemption out of things that were never good.
00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.019
That's different.
00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:10.060
God is great at making lemonade out of lemons.
00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.860
You know that song.
00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.980
You've heard that song.
00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:18.300
You don't need to hear me sing for a shrink.
00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:29.100
But he is really good at making lemonade out of lemons.
00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:39.100
See, there's another verse we hear constantly when something goes wrong.
00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:43.820
So once again, let's read it again, but in context.
00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:46.060
Romans 8, 26 through 30.
00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:52.460
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought.
00:26:52.540 --> 00:26:57.019
But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
00:26:57.340 --> 00:27:05.340
And he who searches hearts knows what's in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:15.340
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:25.900
For those who he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:37.019
And whose home and who to and those whom he predestined, he also called, and those whom he also justified, and those whom he justified, he also glorified.
00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:47.259
I want to reread one part of that.
00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:51.580
And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.
00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:55.019
For those who are called according to his purpose.
00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:57.259
Notice he doesn't say all things are good.
00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:59.100
He says they work together for good.
00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.380
There's a difference.
00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:04.060
See, there are things in life that are not good.
00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:08.700
Understatement of the century, cancery, cancer isn't good.
00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.620
Betrayal isn't good.
00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:17.019
Abuse, not good, sin, not good, loss, not good.
00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:20.860
But Paul is making an enormous claim about God.
00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:23.980
None of those things are beyond his ability to redeem.
00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.740
So what is the good?
00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.100
Here's something that's really easy to miss.
00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:41.660
When we hear Romans 8.28, we often define good as everything eventually will work out the way I want.
00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:45.340
But the next verse tells us what Paul means.
00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:49.660
In verse 29, he says, to be conformed to the image of his son.
00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:54.140
What does that mean?
00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:57.420
To be conformed to the image of his son.
00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:12.860
That's really different from promising us a painless life.
00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:16.860
Sometimes God looks like restoration.
00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:21.900
Sometimes God's good looks like an open door.
00:29:22.780 --> 00:29:29.900
Sometimes circumstances dramatically change, but sometimes the circumstances don't change, and we do.
00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:37.820
Through those circumstances, we become more compassionate, more patient, more dependent on God.
00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:46.780
We become more aware of what actually matters and more capable of helping someone else through something we survive.
00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:53.100
And again, that doesn't mean that the thing that hurts us is good.
00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:57.900
Just means God can refuse to let suffering have the final word.
00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.940
All right.
00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:07.019
What about my own bad decisions?
00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:12.540
See, Joseph's brothers were the ones that made terrible choices, and that affected Joseph.
00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.780
What about when I'm the one who screwed up?
00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:20.540
What if I'm not Joseph in this story?
00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:23.340
What if I'm the brother who sold Joseph?
00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:26.700
That's uncomfortable.
00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.259
But it's important.
00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:37.180
Sometimes the thing that we're asking God to redeem is something that we caused, and scripture doesn't tell us, don't worry about it.
00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:38.460
God has a plan.
00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:42.940
There's gonna be consequences.
00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:51.740
There might be relationships that take time to rebuild.
00:30:52.540 --> 00:30:55.259
There might be things that cannot be completely undone.
00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:58.380
See, grace doesn't erase responsibility.
00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.780
The failure doesn't put you outside the reach of God.
00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:09.740
Peter might be one of the clearest examples of that.
00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:12.780
He was convinced that he would never abandon Jesus.
00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:16.220
And Jesus was like, ah, sorry, man.
00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.060
You will.
00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:26.220
And then on the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter denied even knowing him three times.
00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.780
It wasn't a minor mistake.
00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.940
Jesus had personally called Peter.
00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:37.660
Peter walked with him, seen miracles, heard his teaching, confessed that Jesus was the Christ.
00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:42.300
And when his moment came, Peter denied him.
00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:49.500
If anybody could have thought I just ruined God's entire plan for my life.
00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.980
Peter had a pretty good case.
00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:59.019
But after the resurrection, Jesus saw Peter again, and in John 21, 15 through 17.
00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:08.940
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon, Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?
00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:13.980
And he said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:21.980
He said to him, feed my lamb.
00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:29.740
He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?
00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:34.060
Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.700
Then tend my sheep.
00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:43.019
And Jesus said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?
00:32:44.540 --> 00:32:48.220
And Peter was grieved because he said to him for the third time, Do you love me?
00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:50.460
And he said to him, Lord, you know everything.
00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.980
You know that I love you.
00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:57.500
Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.
00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:02.220
Do you see the parallel there?
00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:04.460
There were three denials.
00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:11.420
And Jesus asked him three simple questions all the same thing.
00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.940
Do you love me?
00:33:16.060 --> 00:33:21.420
Jesus doesn't say, Well, Peter, you were supposed to have a much bigger role, but unfortunately, you absolutely blew it.
00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:28.380
No, he restores him and then he gives him responsibility.
00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:32.220
Peter's failure was real.
00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:35.019
His restoration was real too, though.
00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:40.940
Maybe, maybe this is what you need here.
00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:45.340
God's purpose for your life is not as fragile as you think it is.
00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:53.019
Doesn't mean your choices don't matter.
00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:54.380
They absolutely do.
00:33:55.180 --> 00:34:01.340
Doesn't mean every road leads exactly to the same place, and that sin doesn't have consequences.
00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:13.420
It certainly doesn't mean that wisdom doesn't matter, but it does mean that you don't have to live terrified that one bad decision somehow caught God by surprise.
00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:25.659
It's not like you make a choice and God looks down from heaven and says, Well, I didn't see that coming.
00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:33.500
See, God knows us, including our weaknesses and our failures.
00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:36.460
And the decisions we're going to regret.
00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:39.820
And somehow, He's still able to work.
00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:47.099
I mean, look, are there missed opportunities?
00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.139
Absolutely.
00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.940
And I think we need to be honest about that too.
00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:54.460
Sometimes our choices cost us something.
00:34:54.619 --> 00:35:01.420
There are opportunities we can miss, relationships we can damage, years we can waste, consequences we may have to live with.
00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:07.980
Christianity doesn't teach that choices and meaningless are meaningless because God is sovereign.
00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:15.980
But here's the hope: a missed opportunity is not the same thing as a ruined life.
00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:20.460
Bad chapter is not the same thing as a finished story.
00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:25.179
And repentance means that you don't have to spend the rest of your life staring backwards.
00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:33.420
People talk a lot about God's plan A and our plan B.
00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:38.139
And I understand what they're trying to communicate, but I'm not sure that's the most helpful picture.
00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:43.820
Because it can make us imagine God holding the perfect vision of our life, the one we could have had, right?
00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:46.380
If we had just gotten everything right.
00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:49.179
And now we're stuck with a discount Bobo version.
00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.699
And I don't think that's the gospel.
00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:59.019
God doesn't tolerate redeem people who messed up his original idea.
00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:06.940
See, redeeming broken people is the story that he's been telling all along.
00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:13.900
Look at all the people throughout the scripture that he used.
00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:21.660
Abraham makes mistakes, Jacob is a mess, Moses kills a dude, David's failures are enormous.
00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:23.900
Peter denies Jesus himself.
00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:26.139
Paul persecuted Christians.
00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:30.460
God's not looking for people who manage to perfectly execute the blueprint.
00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:39.420
He's working through people who need grace, which is fortunate because that is all of us.
00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.660
Now we have another question.
00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:55.579
If I don't have to live terrified that I'll accidentally ruin God's plan, how do I make decisions?
00:36:55.900 --> 00:37:05.579
Because eventually you still have to choose take the job or don't, move or stay, date so-and-so or not, start whatever it is you're going to start or hold off.
00:37:05.740 --> 00:37:07.180
How do I know what God wants?
00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.700
Do I wait for a sign?
00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:10.460
Do I need perfect peace?
00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:12.700
Do I ask God to open and close doors?
00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:15.579
What role does Scripture play?
00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.500
Prayer?
00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.860
Wisdom?
00:37:19.660 --> 00:37:21.099
What about other people?
00:37:23.180 --> 00:37:30.539
And it is possible that sometimes God does give us more freedom than what He thinks, that we think He does.
00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:41.900
That's where we're headed with this, because maybe following God's plan isn't about successfully predicting your entire future.
00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:50.460
Maybe it's about learning how to make wise, faithful decisions while trusting a God who already knows where the road goes.
00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:05.420
So let me re-emphasize something.
00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:08.700
He knows our future.
00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:13.260
And he's already revealed about a lot about how we want us to live.
00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:22.619
Second, God's purpose isn't so fragile that one bad decision puts us permanently outside of it.
00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:23.579
Great.
00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.619
But there's still a problem.
00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:29.980
Tomorrow morning, you still have to make decisions.
00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:33.260
And sometimes you genuinely don't know what God wants you to do.
00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.940
So how do you decide?
00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:41.900
How do you follow God's plan without turning your life into a never-ending search for secret messages?
00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:44.780
I think scripture gives us something much better than that.
00:38:44.860 --> 00:38:46.220
It's not a magic formula.
00:38:46.300 --> 00:38:53.260
It's not spiritual GPS that announces, in 500 feet, turn left into God's will.
00:38:55.820 --> 00:39:06.619
Instead, God gives us scripture, prayer, wisdom, community, and sometimes freedom to make our own decision.
00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:21.260
So in your life, if you're trying to figure out how to make a decision, you should probably start with what God has already said.
00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:27.900
When you say it out loud, it seems so obvious.
00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:36.860
But it's amazing how often we ask God for direction about something he's already addressed.
00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:49.820
If one option requires you to clearly disobey God, I don't think you need a sign.
00:39:53.740 --> 00:39:57.019
I don't think you need some sort of big dream or vision.
00:39:57.260 --> 00:40:00.619
You don't need three people to independently mention the same Bible verse.
00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:02.300
God already said it.
00:40:03.260 --> 00:40:05.980
Psalm 119, 105.
00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:10.619
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
00:40:10.780 --> 00:40:12.380
I love the imagery there.
00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:14.940
A lamp, not a stadium spotlight.
00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:19.019
See, a lamp doesn't necessarily show you five miles down the road.
00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:20.300
We've talked about this.
00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:24.059
It gives you enough light for the next step.
00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:30.539
And maybe, maybe that's part of our frustration.
00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:35.500
We want God to show us the big picture, right?
00:40:35.660 --> 00:40:36.860
The entire map.
00:40:37.180 --> 00:40:43.500
But God often gives us just enough light to walk faithfully today.
00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:54.300
We need to ask for wisdom.
00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:57.740
See, James gives us an incredibly straightforward instruction.
00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.579
James 1, 5 through 8.
00:40:59.740 --> 00:41:08.059
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
00:41:08.619 --> 00:41:17.019
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:21.980
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
00:41:22.700 --> 00:41:26.380
He's a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:31.340
Notice the word that James uses, wisdom.
00:41:31.660 --> 00:41:37.180
He doesn't say if anybody doesn't know God's secret blueprint, ask for supernatural clue.
00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:40.539
He says, ask for wisdom.
00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:42.460
There's a difference.
00:41:42.780 --> 00:41:46.700
Wisdom asks, what does scripture say?
00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:50.139
What have I learned?
00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:54.860
What are the likely consequences of this action?
00:41:55.180 --> 00:41:58.139
What responsibilities do I already have?
00:41:58.619 --> 00:42:01.019
What motives are driving me?
00:42:02.539 --> 00:42:04.940
What would love require?
00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:07.500
What would integrity require?
00:42:07.740 --> 00:42:10.300
See, those are all wise questions.
00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:20.300
Questions like, what decision helps me faithfully follow Jesus?
00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:26.220
There's a key part to this once we ask those questions.
00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.300
Pray.
00:42:29.420 --> 00:42:32.460
God, give me wisdom.
00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:41.019
God also gives us people, right?
00:42:41.260 --> 00:42:43.260
He puts people in our lives to help us.
00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:48.860
Proverbs 6, 15, excuse me, 22, says, without counsel, plans fail.
00:42:49.180 --> 00:42:51.500
But with many advisors, they succeed.
00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:53.980
See, that's another piece we sometimes overlook.
00:42:54.139 --> 00:43:02.539
If you're making a major decision in your life and you're trying to figure out if this is part of where you need to be, if it's part of God's plan, talk to wise people.
00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:08.780
Not 20 randos until somebody finally tells you what you want to hear, but people who know you.
00:43:09.099 --> 00:43:12.460
People who you know who you know know scripture.
00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:15.660
People who are not impressed by you.
00:43:17.180 --> 00:43:20.780
And people who love you enough to tell you, I don't think this is a good idea.
00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:26.380
God can use community to help us see things that we can't see ourselves.
00:43:27.180 --> 00:43:35.420
And sometimes the answer to God, please give me direction might partially come through the wise people he's already put around you.
00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:40.940
So what about open doors?
00:43:41.260 --> 00:43:43.579
Christians love talking about open doors.
00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:45.099
God, open the door.
00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:47.740
And yes, sometimes God uses that language.
00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:59.579
Paul does, 1 Corinthians 16, 8 through 9, but I will stay in Ephesians until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
00:44:00.860 --> 00:44:01.820
Interesting.
00:44:02.220 --> 00:44:03.820
There's an open door.
00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:07.019
And opposition.
00:44:08.059 --> 00:44:12.300
See, apparently, difficulty doesn't automatically mean God closed the door.
00:44:12.380 --> 00:44:19.019
Sometimes we assume if it's easy, God must be in it.
00:44:19.260 --> 00:44:22.539
If it's hard, God must be telling me no.
00:44:25.019 --> 00:44:27.740
But that's not consistently how scripture works.
00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:32.300
Sometimes obedience is difficult and the right road has resistance.
00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:38.380
Sometimes an opportunity appearing doesn't mean God wants you to take it.
00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:41.980
See, an open door is worth considering.
00:44:43.180 --> 00:44:44.940
But it's not the only test.
00:44:48.220 --> 00:44:51.820
What about the old saying, well, I just have a peace about it?
00:44:54.700 --> 00:44:57.019
See, here's another phrase Christians use.
00:44:57.340 --> 00:44:59.500
I have peace about it.
00:45:01.260 --> 00:45:02.860
And again, peace matters.
00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:05.099
Look, we talked about the peace of God before.
00:45:05.260 --> 00:45:09.019
We need to be careful, though, about making that feeling of peace a final authority.
00:45:09.180 --> 00:45:13.019
Because sometimes the right decision can be terrifying.
00:45:15.500 --> 00:45:20.059
Jesus in Gethsemane wasn't emotionally comfortable about what was ahead.
00:45:21.099 --> 00:45:26.300
Sometimes obedience requires courage precisely because we don't feel comfortable.
00:45:30.139 --> 00:45:35.260
On the other hand, I can feel incredibly peaceful about something and still be wrong.
00:45:35.740 --> 00:45:38.300
So peace can't be part of discernment.
00:45:41.820 --> 00:45:45.099
But feelings don't outrank scripture.
00:45:47.579 --> 00:45:51.820
And we cannot discount the fact that sometimes there might be more than one good choice.
00:45:53.820 --> 00:45:56.539
This might be one of the most freeing moments in the episode.
00:45:56.700 --> 00:46:00.059
What if sometimes there isn't one secret correct choice?
00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:02.780
What if both options are morally good?
00:46:03.019 --> 00:46:04.539
Neither violates scripture.
00:46:04.619 --> 00:46:07.340
You've prayed, you've asked for wisdom, you've asked for counsel, and you know what?
00:46:08.059 --> 00:46:09.820
Still don't have a lightning bolt from heaven.
00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:12.940
Maybe God isn't giving you permission to choose.
00:46:15.500 --> 00:46:19.579
Maybe God is just telling you either way is fine.
00:46:24.940 --> 00:46:31.099
I mean, we want God to say, I need you to take job A, house B, live in City C.
00:46:32.940 --> 00:46:37.980
But sometimes a loving father isn't standing, he isn't handing his child a script.
00:46:38.619 --> 00:46:41.740
He's given the child wisdom to allow them to walk.
00:46:46.619 --> 00:46:52.780
There's a fascinating example in Romans, Romans 15, 22 through 24.
00:46:53.019 --> 00:46:56.780
This is the reason I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
00:46:57.180 --> 00:47:13.340
But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
00:47:14.380 --> 00:47:15.900
Paul says, I hope.
00:47:16.059 --> 00:47:17.340
See, he has a plan.
00:47:17.500 --> 00:47:23.019
He's thinking strategically, he's looking at circumstances and making his decision about where to go next.
00:47:23.180 --> 00:47:29.420
And interestingly, we don't even know for certain from scripture whether Paul ever made it to Spain or not.
00:47:30.700 --> 00:47:33.740
He's an apostle, he's still making plans.
00:47:35.740 --> 00:47:36.619
That's encouraging.
00:47:36.780 --> 00:47:41.500
Following God doesn't mean shutting off your brain and waiting for supernatural instructions before every decision.
00:47:41.740 --> 00:47:44.700
Sometimes faithful people make plans.
00:47:46.619 --> 00:47:51.019
But hold your plans with open hands.
00:47:53.660 --> 00:47:54.700
What do I mean by that?
00:47:54.860 --> 00:48:00.300
See, scripture gives us the other side of the coin, James 4, 13 through 15.
00:48:00.700 --> 00:48:08.059
Come now, you who say today or tomorrow will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.
00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:10.460
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
00:48:10.619 --> 00:48:11.740
What is your life?
00:48:12.059 --> 00:48:15.900
For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
00:48:16.380 --> 00:48:21.500
Instead, you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.
00:48:22.380 --> 00:48:24.539
See, James isn't saying don't make plans.
00:48:24.619 --> 00:48:27.340
He's saying don't confuse your plans with sovereignty.
00:48:28.940 --> 00:48:38.059
Absolutely plan, absolutely prepare, use wisdom, make decisions, but hold them with open hands.
00:48:38.700 --> 00:48:41.660
In other words, if the Lord wills.
00:48:44.460 --> 00:48:45.980
That's humility.
00:48:50.059 --> 00:48:53.660
So let's take all of this and let's make it extremely practical.
00:48:53.980 --> 00:48:55.340
You're facing a decision.
00:48:55.579 --> 00:48:56.700
What do you do?
00:48:57.900 --> 00:49:02.780
First question should always be does scripture clearly address it?
00:49:03.180 --> 00:49:05.660
If God's already spoken about it, start there.
00:49:07.260 --> 00:49:10.300
Second, pray for wisdom.
00:49:10.619 --> 00:49:14.460
Not just whatever answer you already want, wisdom.
00:49:16.059 --> 00:49:18.860
Third, check your motives.
00:49:20.300 --> 00:49:26.220
Am I choosing from fear, pride, greed, anger, people pleasing, vanity?
00:49:27.660 --> 00:49:30.300
Or am I genuinely trying to follow Jesus?
00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:35.660
Fourth, seek wise counsel.
00:49:37.500 --> 00:49:40.139
Talk to the people that know God and know you.
00:49:41.660 --> 00:49:44.700
Fifth, consider the consequences.
00:49:45.019 --> 00:49:46.380
God gave you a brain.
00:49:46.460 --> 00:49:48.380
You are allowed to use it.
00:49:49.099 --> 00:50:02.380
And finally, if both options are good, if neither violates scripture, if you've prayed, sought wisdom, listened to counsel, and you still don't have some sort of a supernatural sign, just make the best decision you can and trust God.
00:50:03.820 --> 00:50:05.900
You don't have to be terrified.
00:50:07.019 --> 00:50:11.099
And I think this is where I want this whole talk to land.
00:50:12.220 --> 00:50:15.180
Some Christians are terrified of making decisions.
00:50:15.420 --> 00:50:19.820
Because we're afraid that somewhere out there is this God's perfect plan.
00:50:19.900 --> 00:50:23.660
And if we continue to choose incorrectly, we'll screw it up or miss it.
00:50:25.579 --> 00:50:29.579
What if following Jesus isn't supposed to feel like walking through a minefield?
00:50:29.740 --> 00:50:32.619
What if God isn't hiding his will from you?
00:50:32.860 --> 00:50:36.539
Just waiting to see whether you'll decode the clues correctly.
00:50:38.860 --> 00:50:40.860
What if he's actually a father?
00:50:42.059 --> 00:50:43.740
Teaching you how to walk.
00:50:47.260 --> 00:50:49.980
Proverbs gives us this familiar passage.
00:50:50.139 --> 00:50:52.619
Proverbs 3, verses 5 through 6.
00:50:52.780 --> 00:50:53.660
Trust the Lord.
00:50:53.900 --> 00:50:55.660
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
00:50:55.900 --> 00:50:57.900
Do not lean on your own understanding.
00:50:58.139 --> 00:51:02.139
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.
00:51:09.740 --> 00:51:11.420
Notice it says path.
00:51:11.740 --> 00:51:12.619
There's movement.
00:51:12.780 --> 00:51:13.740
You're walking.
00:51:13.980 --> 00:51:14.940
You're trusting.
00:51:15.099 --> 00:51:17.260
You're acknowledging God along the way.
00:51:17.820 --> 00:51:19.180
And God directs.
00:51:20.700 --> 00:51:21.340
Look.
00:51:22.619 --> 00:51:24.220
I've gone a long time.
00:51:25.019 --> 00:51:30.059
I do want to tell you a story that my dad told whatever I was in my teeth.
00:51:31.900 --> 00:51:36.220
And he started reading the Bible and started understanding God's purpose in his life.
00:51:37.500 --> 00:51:46.059
He was doing his best to shepherd and mentor a headstrong, handsome young man of a Sunday.
00:51:49.260 --> 00:51:52.940
He sat me down one day and he said, Dennis, I'm gonna tell you something.
00:52:00.539 --> 00:52:02.700
And I want you to know that's changing.
00:52:02.860 --> 00:52:05.099
I am not letting go of the rope.
00:52:06.539 --> 00:52:10.220
But I am giving you a very, very, very long rope.
00:52:14.139 --> 00:52:17.579
And that rope is not to hold you in place.
00:52:19.420 --> 00:52:28.940
That rope is simply there so that when you need me, you tug on it and I'll come running.
00:52:33.260 --> 00:52:35.420
God does the same thing for us.
00:52:37.340 --> 00:52:39.820
We have the freedom to make decisions.
00:52:42.700 --> 00:52:45.740
But he wants us to know he's at the other end of our rope.
00:52:46.940 --> 00:52:48.539
And he's waiting.
00:52:49.180 --> 00:52:52.700
And when we need him, all we have to do is tug.
00:52:54.940 --> 00:52:56.619
And he'll come running.
00:53:01.019 --> 00:53:03.260
So does God really have a plan for my life?
00:53:03.420 --> 00:53:04.940
I think the answer is yes.
00:53:05.260 --> 00:53:07.660
But maybe not the way that we imagined it.
00:53:08.300 --> 00:53:11.980
Yeah, he has purpose for you and he cares about your individual life.
00:53:12.139 --> 00:53:13.019
Yeah, absolutely.
00:53:13.260 --> 00:53:14.619
God will guide you.
00:53:14.940 --> 00:53:26.380
And there may be moments when God gives very specific directions, but I don't think scripture teaches that God's will is one secret blueprint that you're supposed to spend your life terrified of screwing up.
00:53:28.460 --> 00:53:33.740
God's will is not a combination log, and your life isn't ruined because you entered one wrong number.
00:53:34.300 --> 00:53:36.780
God is bigger than your mistakes.
00:53:37.019 --> 00:53:43.980
And he's bigger than someone else's choices, and he's bigger than the opportunities that you missed and the plans that fell apart.
00:53:44.300 --> 00:53:48.460
He is even capable of redeeming things that were never good in the first place.
00:53:51.740 --> 00:53:59.340
Maybe God's plan for your life isn't primarily where you'll work or live or how much money you're going to make or the house that you'll buy.
00:53:59.500 --> 00:54:03.260
Maybe his deeper purpose is who are you becoming?
00:54:03.660 --> 00:54:05.579
And are you becoming more like Jesus?
00:54:05.740 --> 00:54:06.780
Are you loving God?
00:54:06.940 --> 00:54:08.139
Are you loving people?
00:54:08.300 --> 00:54:18.059
Are you learning to forgive, to serve, to give, to trust, to obey.
00:54:22.380 --> 00:54:28.380
Because you can be exactly where you thought God wanted you and still completely miss what He's trying to do in you.
00:54:29.980 --> 00:54:33.500
And you can find yourself somewhere you never expected.
00:54:35.340 --> 00:54:36.059
But guess what?
00:54:36.139 --> 00:54:38.539
You're going to discover that God is already there.
00:54:40.300 --> 00:54:45.260
So instead of waking up every morning asking, God, what's your plan for my life?
00:54:45.500 --> 00:54:51.340
Maybe we could ask something smaller, simpler, maybe something a little more biblical.
00:54:52.700 --> 00:54:57.500
God, how can I faithfully follow you today?
00:54:59.900 --> 00:55:01.420
What have you already told me?
00:55:01.579 --> 00:55:03.660
What responsibility is in front of me?
00:55:03.980 --> 00:55:05.420
Who can I love?
00:55:06.059 --> 00:55:07.579
Where do I need wisdom?
00:55:07.740 --> 00:55:09.180
Where do I need courage?
00:55:09.420 --> 00:55:11.660
Where do I need to obey?
00:55:12.220 --> 00:55:15.740
And then take the next step.
00:55:16.780 --> 00:55:19.019
So you don't need to see the entire road.
00:55:19.180 --> 00:55:24.300
Remember, his word is a lamp unto your feet.
00:55:24.860 --> 00:55:28.780
Sometimes that's just enough light for one more step.
00:55:28.940 --> 00:55:31.900
And then another, and then another.
00:55:32.619 --> 00:55:39.900
And when you look backwards, you may discover that God was guiding you through a story that you possibly couldn't see while you were living it.
00:55:39.980 --> 00:55:42.860
So yeah, I believe God has a plan.
00:55:43.260 --> 00:55:47.820
But maybe freedom is realizing you don't have to figure out the whole thing tonight.
00:55:48.539 --> 00:55:59.579
Just follow Jesus, seek wisdom, make plans, hold them loosely, and trust the God who already knows where your road goes.
00:56:02.139 --> 00:56:05.099
Guys, thank you so much for listening.
00:56:06.059 --> 00:56:15.579
Um, if you know someone who's terrified that they're going to make the wrong decision and somehow ruin God's plan for their life, send them this episode.
00:56:16.619 --> 00:56:18.220
Maybe they need the reminder too.
00:56:18.460 --> 00:56:24.380
God's plan is not nearly as fragile as we sometimes imagine it to be.
00:56:25.340 --> 00:56:30.380
Until next time, keep figuring out faith together.
00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:11.340
Welcome back, everybody.
00:02:11.500 --> 00:02:15.900
Welcome to the next episode of Bible basically.
00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:23.420
I am Dennis, and we have been figuring out our faith together.
00:02:26.860 --> 00:02:30.620
So today it's it's gonna be a weird question.
00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:33.740
It's not weird in the sense that it's off the wall.
00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:41.980
It's just I think it's a question that everybody's asked themselves, and they're not really sure what the answer is.
00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:45.740
And I gotta be honest, I'm not real sure either.
00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:56.860
I started doing the research for this and it it made sense, but I mean, when I asked the question, and and the reason I came up with it today is because gosh, I don't know either.
00:02:57.020 --> 00:02:59.420
So we're gonna we're gonna figure it out together this week.
00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:04.939
And the question really is does God really have a plan for my life?
00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:09.180
What what's what's what's the deal?
00:03:09.420 --> 00:03:10.780
Does God really have a plan?
00:03:10.939 --> 00:03:12.540
Is there really a plan?
00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:18.540
And the reason I asked that question is because we've all heard it.
00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:19.340
Right?
00:03:19.420 --> 00:03:23.660
We've all heard God has a plan for your life.
00:03:23.819 --> 00:03:29.580
I mean, if you've been around it, been around Christianity for any period of time, somebody has said that to you.
00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:41.660
Somebody told you when you were going through something difficult, or maybe you've seen it in a coffee mug or a t-shirt, you know, probably written in a picture over a mountain somewhere.
00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:44.939
And honestly, it's it's comforting.
00:03:45.180 --> 00:03:48.620
When you think about that, God has a plan for your life.
00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:50.780
It's comforting.
00:03:51.580 --> 00:03:57.660
But lately, like I said, I've been wondering, what exactly do we mean by that?
00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:05.420
Does God have a specific blueprint, like one specific blueprint from my entire life?
00:04:06.219 --> 00:04:15.819
One person that I'm supposed to marry, one city that I'm supposed to end up in, or one church that I'm supposed to attend?
00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:19.899
And if that's true, how do I figure it out?
00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:26.779
Because when you start thinking about it, suddenly God has a plan for your life, doesn't sound comforting anymore.
00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:30.620
Sounds a little terrifying because what if I screw it up?
00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:39.819
What if I take the wrong job or move to the wrong city or end up choosing door number two instead of door number one?
00:04:41.580 --> 00:04:44.939
And God's plan happens to be behind door number three?
00:04:48.220 --> 00:04:53.659
What if I made the wrong decision 10 years ago and it affected the rest of God's plan for my life?
00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:56.060
Am I still living in God's plan?
00:04:56.220 --> 00:05:01.100
Or am I now in some second best version of my life because I missed the turn?
00:05:01.340 --> 00:05:08.860
Am I in some weird multiversal scenario where the what ifs, you know, didn't happen the way they were supposed to?
00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:16.779
So today I just want to ask a question that sounds simple, but actually is pretty complicated.
00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:20.379
Does God really have a plan for my life?
00:05:20.539 --> 00:05:26.379
And maybe more importantly, what does the Bible actually mean when it talks about God's plan?
00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:34.700
You probably have to start with one of the most famous verses in the Bible, Jeremiah 29.11.
00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:38.460
And even if you don't know the reference, you probably know the words.
00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:45.659
Jeremiah 29.11 says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
00:05:45.899 --> 00:05:51.580
Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
00:05:53.340 --> 00:05:53.819
All right.
00:05:53.980 --> 00:05:55.500
So there it is, case closed.
00:05:55.740 --> 00:05:56.460
Great episode.
00:05:56.700 --> 00:05:58.220
God has a plan for your life.
00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.740
Thanks for listening.
00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.659
See you next week.
00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:08.300
Except, we should probably read the rest of the chapter.
00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:24.139
See, Jeremiah 11, Jeremiah 29, 11, excuse me, wasn't originally written to someone trying to decide whether or not to accept a new job or who's wondering who they should marry, or wasn't even really written to one person.
00:06:24.860 --> 00:06:26.539
It was part of a letter.
00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:33.019
And the people receiving the letter were trying or were living through something pretty terrible.
00:06:35.659 --> 00:06:41.980
The people who received Jeremiah 29, 11 were the people of Judah.
00:06:43.659 --> 00:06:48.299
The people of Judah had been conquered by Babylon, and Jerusalem had been attacked.
00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:54.539
People got taken from their homes, and most of them were now living in exiles.
00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.179
In Babylon, by the way.
00:06:57.500 --> 00:06:58.940
They weren't where they wanted to be.
00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:00.299
They didn't choose it.
00:07:00.539 --> 00:07:06.620
And there were false prophets telling them essentially, don't worry, this will all be over soon.
00:07:08.460 --> 00:07:13.340
And God sends a very different message through Jeremiah.
00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:18.539
So listen to what comes before verse 11.
00:07:19.019 --> 00:07:22.460
We're going to read now the entire, well, almost the entire thing.
00:07:22.539 --> 00:07:27.899
It's Jeremiah 29, 4 through 14, but that whole entire context.
00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:36.779
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:39.580
Build houses and live in them.
00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.779
Plant gardens and eat their produce.
00:07:43.019 --> 00:07:45.340
Take wives and have sons and daughters.
00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:50.539
Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters.
00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:53.740
Multiply there and do not decrease.
00:07:54.060 --> 00:08:02.379
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:11.659
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream.
00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:14.539
For it's a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name.
00:08:14.700 --> 00:08:16.700
I didn't send them, declares the Lord.
00:08:16.940 --> 00:08:25.820
For thus says the Lord, when seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:33.659
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:37.980
Then you will call upon me and come pray to me, and I will hear you.
00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:42.620
You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:58.779
I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I had sent you into exile.
00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:27.899
In fact, you're gonna be there about 70 years.
00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:37.179
Build houses, plant gardens, get married, have children, have your children have children, and pray for the city that you live in, because it's gonna be a minute.
00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.379
Right?
00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:43.340
In other words, live faithfully right where you are.
00:09:45.659 --> 00:09:57.179
So when we take that Jeremiah 29, 11 and we put it in context, truthfully, I think it gets better.
00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:09.820
Because sometimes, even though we don't think where we're at is where God wants us to be, it may be exactly where we're supposed to be.
00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:21.179
So sometimes people get nervous when you say a favorite Bible verse has been taken out of context, right?
00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.820
Like we're trying to take some sort of comfort thought away.
00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:29.980
And I actually think context makes this verse a lot more comforting.
00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:34.700
Once again, like I said, God's speaking to people whose lives did not look like the plan.
00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:40.299
They're displaced, they're living in enemy territory, their circumstances are nothing like what they wanted.
00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:43.740
And God says, hey man, don't worry, I haven't forgot about you.
00:10:48.459 --> 00:10:51.579
Your present circumstances haven't destroyed my purpose.
00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:54.220
There's still a future, there's still hope.
00:10:54.459 --> 00:10:57.340
But here's the part we don't put on coffee mugs.
00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:05.100
Some of the people who first heard that promise probably wouldn't live long enough to see the return from exile.
00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:12.139
See, 70 years is a long time.
00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:21.019
Wasn't necessarily God's promise that every individual's person's immediate circumstances would improve.
00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:23.179
It was a promise to his people.
00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:29.340
That promise was that he was still working his purpose through history.
00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:37.740
See, that's bigger than God has picked out the perfect career for me as an individual.
00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:43.019
All right.
00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.779
So let's break it down a little further.
00:11:44.939 --> 00:11:47.419
Does God care about my individual life?
00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:50.939
Woo.
00:11:51.740 --> 00:11:53.179
That's a question.
00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:55.980
Because we see the overarching plan, right?
00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:10.299
And I don't want to swing too far in the opposite direction because somebody could hear all of that and say, okay, God has some giant cosmic plan, but he doesn't really care what happens to me in my individual life.
00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:12.860
And that's not what scripture says either.
00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:18.620
Jesus says something pretty remarkable in Matthew, in Matthew 10, 29 through 31.
00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:21.500
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
00:12:21.659 --> 00:12:25.579
And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father.
00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:31.100
But even the hairs on your head are all numbered.
00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.459
Fear not.
00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:38.379
Therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:45.019
See, Jesus paints a picture of a God who is deeply aware of his creation.
00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.779
Even sparrows.
00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:52.459
And then Jesus says, you matter more than they do.
00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:59.659
So this isn't about God being distant.
00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:04.379
God cares about your life, cares about your decisions.
00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:10.059
He will guide you and he will call you and he will correct you.
00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:14.620
He'll open doors and sometimes he closes them.
00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:19.980
Scripture absolutely gives us examples of God directing people very specifically.
00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:22.299
But here's where I think we sometimes make a leap.
00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:31.100
We go from God guides my life to God has a hidden one exact blueprint for my life, and my job is to decode it.
00:13:32.939 --> 00:13:38.699
And I don't think the Bible acts us asks asks us to live that way.
00:13:54.059 --> 00:13:55.019
Should I take the job?
00:13:58.939 --> 00:13:59.819
Should I move?
00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.699
God, give me another sign.
00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:05.899
Should I take this person?
00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:11.500
God, if they're the one, let them text me in the next 10 minutes.
00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:14.379
And then your phone buzzes.
00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:19.500
And it's somebody calling you about your car's extended warranty.
00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:24.379
So now you're wondering if God wants you to extend the warranty on your car.
00:14:26.059 --> 00:14:31.659
Look, we laugh, but Christians genuinely do this.
00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:40.699
We can become terrified of ordinary decisions because we're convinced there's always one secret correct answer hidden around a corner.
00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:47.500
And God's just sitting there waiting to see if we can discover it.
00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:59.819
What if instead of hiding his will, God's already revealed an enormous amount of it?
00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:07.259
You see, the Bible actually tells us God's will.
00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:13.659
There's a fascinating verse in First Thessalonians.
00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:17.980
People spend years asking, What is God's will for my life?
00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:25.579
And then Paul basically just says in First Thessalonians 4, 3, or this is the will of God, your sanctification.
00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:31.179
Well, that is unusually direct.
00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:35.179
This is the will of God.
00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:38.459
Your sanctification.
00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:44.539
So that means God is deeply concerned with a person that you're becoming.
00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:49.899
Are you becoming more like Christ?
00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.259
Are you learning to love?
00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:53.419
Are you becoming more patient?
00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:58.860
More generous, more honest, more forgiving.
00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:04.059
More faithful, more holy.
00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:09.500
And maybe that's where we've sometimes gotten the emphasis backwards.
00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:13.259
We're asking, God, which job do you want me to take?
00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:20.220
And God might be much more concerned with who are you becoming in whichever job you take?
00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:30.459
So while we're asking, what city should I live in, maybe God is asking, will you love your neighbor wherever you live?
00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:37.899
And while we're asking, God, what's your plan for my entire life?
00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:43.899
And scripture brings us back to follow me today.
00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:52.539
Think about how much God has already told us.
00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:55.659
And Jesus gives us the greatest commandments, right?
00:16:55.819 --> 00:17:02.459
Matthew 22, 35 through 40, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.
00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.059
Teacher.
00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:10.299
What is the greatest commandment in the law?
00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:17.340
And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind.
00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:20.539
This is the great and first commandment.
00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.700
And second is like it.
00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:31.019
On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophet.
00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:39.100
So God's commandments are love God, love people.
00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.620
I want to say that again.
00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:46.779
Love God and love people.
00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:53.019
I mean, that's not everything scripture says about God's will, but it's certainly not vague.
00:17:54.539 --> 00:18:04.220
So maybe before we panic about the part of God's plan we don't know, we should ask ourselves how we're doing with the part he's already made perfectly clear.
00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:09.420
Love God.
00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.900
Love people.
00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.380
So I bring it back.
00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.700
Does God have a plan for your life?
00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:24.059
We're not quite ready to complete that answer yet, but I think that we can say a few things already.
00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:36.940
God has purpose, God cares about you individually, God guides his people, God knows things about your future that you don't, and God has revealed a great deal about how he wants you to live.
00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:47.819
But I am increasingly uncomfortable with the thought that Christianity is supposed to be a lifelong scavenger hunt for God's magic hidden blueprint.
00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:51.259
Because if that's true, one question becomes terrifying.
00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:54.299
What happens if I get it wrong?
00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:59.900
Because I'm gonna tell you right now, I have.
00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.299
I have.
00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:04.620
I've made stupid decisions.
00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.579
You have.
00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.779
Everybody has.
00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:08.779
We've made decisions we regret.
00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.900
We ignored wisdom.
00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:12.220
We walked through doors we probably shouldn't have.
00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:15.660
We have absolutely sinned and wasted opportunity.
00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:23.340
Sometimes we simply made the best decision we could and later discovered it wasn't a real good one.
00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.860
So what happens then?
00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:30.380
Can I ruin God's plan for my life?
00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:37.740
And I have jokingly said in the past: if anybody could ruin God's plan for my life, it's me.
00:19:38.780 --> 00:19:39.100
Right?
00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.259
I missed the life that God wanted for me.
00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.860
Am I living on plan B?
00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:44.700
Plan C, plan Q?
00:19:46.780 --> 00:19:54.300
And if God's plan depends on me making every decision correctly, how could any of us possibly have confidence that we're still in it?
00:19:58.380 --> 00:20:03.740
See, scripture contains story after story of human beings making an absolute mess of things.
00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:06.540
And somehow God keeps working.
00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:15.180
So can I ruin it?
00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:22.540
Because if God has one exact blueprint for my life, am I responsible for figuring out every step?
00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:28.700
I'll re-emphasize there is a very obvious issue with that.
00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:31.100
I'm going to get something wrong.
00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:50.220
How many times does God have to put something in front of me?
00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.420
I'll just say me.
00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.220
It's us, right?
00:20:52.300 --> 00:20:53.500
It's the universal me.
00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:58.220
But how many times does God have to put something in front of me before he says, you know what?
00:20:58.460 --> 00:21:00.220
Let's figure it out for yourself.
00:21:05.820 --> 00:21:10.620
Thankfully, that's not the picture that scripture paints for us.
00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:15.660
One of the clearest examples is Joseph.
00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:20.460
If you've spent any time in the Bible, you probably know his story.
00:21:20.780 --> 00:21:23.180
Joseph is one of Jacob's sons.
00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:28.940
He's favored by his father, his brothers are jealous of him, and eventually they decide to get rid of him.
00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:34.540
At first, some of them actually wanted to kill him.
00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:38.460
But instead, they sold him into slavery.
00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:43.340
He's taken to Egypt, he serves Potiphar's house.
00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:49.259
And then Potiphar's wife falsely accuses him, and Joseph ends up in prison.
00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:54.540
In prison, he helps another prisoner who promptly forgets about him.
00:21:55.740 --> 00:22:00.540
And eventually, after years of circumstances, Joseph did not choose.
00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:04.860
Pharaoh brings him out of prison because Joseph can interpret his dream.
00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:09.980
And Joseph then rises to become one of the most powerful men in Egypt.
00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:18.220
And then famine comes, and eventually the same brothers who sold Joseph into slavery arrive in Egypt looking for food.
00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:29.340
Years later, after the father dies, Joseph's brother become brothers become afraid, and they think, well, man, we done messed up now.
00:22:29.580 --> 00:22:31.019
He's going to get us back.
00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:37.980
And Joseph responds with one of the most important statements in the entire conversation.
00:22:38.300 --> 00:22:41.259
This is Genesis 50, 15 through 21.
00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:52.140
When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for the evil that we did to him.
00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:59.259
So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, Your father gave his command, gave this command before he died.
00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:05.580
Say to Joseph, please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.
00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:11.580
And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.
00:23:14.540 --> 00:23:16.940
Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:22.460
His brothers also came and fell down before him, saying, Behold, we are your servants.
00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:28.220
But Joseph said to them, Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:38.620
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today.
00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.460
So do not fear.
00:23:40.780 --> 00:23:43.740
I will provide for you and your little ones.
00:23:44.300 --> 00:23:47.180
Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:53.180
As that sentence right there is huge.
00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:11.019
I mean, they wanted to kill him, but they sold him into slavery.
00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.420
That is not cool.
00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:19.340
Calls it exactly what it was.
00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.380
It's evil.
00:24:20.700 --> 00:24:25.019
His brothers made real choices, and the choices were wrong.
00:24:25.420 --> 00:24:34.300
Joseph experienced real suffering because of them, and yet somehow their evil wasn't powerful enough to prevent God from working.
00:24:36.860 --> 00:24:38.380
Isn't that amazing?
00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.140
So God redeeming something doesn't make it good.
00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.580
And now what do I mean by that?
00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:54.940
See, the distinction matters because Christians sometimes say things like, everything happens for a reason.
00:24:55.180 --> 00:25:00.940
And depending on what somebody's going through, that phrase can land pretty horribly.
00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:08.540
When we experience something devastating and we rush in with, well, God has a plan.
00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:16.460
Well, maybe we mean it to be comforting, but we got to be careful because the Bible doesn't ask us to call evil good.
00:25:16.780 --> 00:25:17.820
See, Joseph doesn't.
00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:20.220
He says, You meant evil against me.
00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.259
Full stop.
00:25:25.820 --> 00:25:29.259
Some things that happen to us are consequences of our own choices.
00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:32.060
Some are consequences of somebody else's choice.
00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:35.580
Some are simply part of living in a broken world.
00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:43.340
Scripture does not require us to look at every tragedy and say, God must have wanted this to happen exactly this way.
00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:55.019
You see, what Scripture shows us again and again is that God is capable of bringing redemption out of things that were never good.
00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:59.019
That's different.
00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:10.060
God is great at making lemonade out of lemons.
00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.860
You know that song.
00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.980
You've heard that song.
00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:18.300
You don't need to hear me sing for a shrink.
00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:29.100
But he is really good at making lemonade out of lemons.
00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:39.100
See, there's another verse we hear constantly when something goes wrong.
00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:43.820
So once again, let's read it again, but in context.
00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:46.060
Romans 8, 26 through 30.
00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:52.460
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought.
00:26:52.540 --> 00:26:57.019
But the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
00:26:57.340 --> 00:27:05.340
And he who searches hearts knows what's in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:15.340
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:25.900
For those who he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:37.019
And whose home and who to and those whom he predestined, he also called, and those whom he also justified, and those whom he justified, he also glorified.
00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:47.259
I want to reread one part of that.
00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:51.580
And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.
00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:55.019
For those who are called according to his purpose.
00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:57.259
Notice he doesn't say all things are good.
00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:59.100
He says they work together for good.
00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.380
There's a difference.
00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:04.060
See, there are things in life that are not good.
00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:08.700
Understatement of the century, cancery, cancer isn't good.
00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.620
Betrayal isn't good.
00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:17.019
Abuse, not good, sin, not good, loss, not good.
00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:20.860
But Paul is making an enormous claim about God.
00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:23.980
None of those things are beyond his ability to redeem.
00:28:30.140 --> 00:28:31.740
So what is the good?
00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:35.100
Here's something that's really easy to miss.
00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:41.660
When we hear Romans 8.28, we often define good as everything eventually will work out the way I want.
00:28:43.340 --> 00:28:45.340
But the next verse tells us what Paul means.
00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:49.660
In verse 29, he says, to be conformed to the image of his son.
00:28:52.860 --> 00:28:54.140
What does that mean?
00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:57.420
To be conformed to the image of his son.
00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:12.860
That's really different from promising us a painless life.
00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:16.860
Sometimes God looks like restoration.
00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:21.900
Sometimes God's good looks like an open door.
00:29:22.780 --> 00:29:29.900
Sometimes circumstances dramatically change, but sometimes the circumstances don't change, and we do.
00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:37.820
Through those circumstances, we become more compassionate, more patient, more dependent on God.
00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:46.780
We become more aware of what actually matters and more capable of helping someone else through something we survive.
00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:53.100
And again, that doesn't mean that the thing that hurts us is good.
00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:57.900
Just means God can refuse to let suffering have the final word.
00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.940
All right.
00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:07.019
What about my own bad decisions?
00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:12.540
See, Joseph's brothers were the ones that made terrible choices, and that affected Joseph.
00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.780
What about when I'm the one who screwed up?
00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:20.540
What if I'm not Joseph in this story?
00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:23.340
What if I'm the brother who sold Joseph?
00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:26.700
That's uncomfortable.
00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:29.259
But it's important.
00:30:30.940 --> 00:30:37.180
Sometimes the thing that we're asking God to redeem is something that we caused, and scripture doesn't tell us, don't worry about it.
00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:38.460
God has a plan.
00:30:40.780 --> 00:30:42.940
There's gonna be consequences.
00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:51.740
There might be relationships that take time to rebuild.
00:30:52.540 --> 00:30:55.259
There might be things that cannot be completely undone.
00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:58.380
See, grace doesn't erase responsibility.
00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.780
The failure doesn't put you outside the reach of God.
00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:09.740
Peter might be one of the clearest examples of that.
00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:12.780
He was convinced that he would never abandon Jesus.
00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:16.220
And Jesus was like, ah, sorry, man.
00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.060
You will.
00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:26.220
And then on the night that Jesus was arrested, Peter denied even knowing him three times.
00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.780
It wasn't a minor mistake.
00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:30.940
Jesus had personally called Peter.
00:31:31.100 --> 00:31:37.660
Peter walked with him, seen miracles, heard his teaching, confessed that Jesus was the Christ.
00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:42.300
And when his moment came, Peter denied him.
00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:49.500
If anybody could have thought I just ruined God's entire plan for my life.
00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.980
Peter had a pretty good case.
00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:59.019
But after the resurrection, Jesus saw Peter again, and in John 21, 15 through 17.
00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:08.940
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon, Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?
00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:13.980
And he said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:21.980
He said to him, feed my lamb.
00:32:25.660 --> 00:32:29.740
He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?
00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:34.060
Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.
00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:36.700
Then tend my sheep.
00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:43.019
And Jesus said to him a third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me?
00:32:44.540 --> 00:32:48.220
And Peter was grieved because he said to him for the third time, Do you love me?
00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:50.460
And he said to him, Lord, you know everything.
00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.980
You know that I love you.
00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:57.500
Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep.
00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:02.220
Do you see the parallel there?
00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:04.460
There were three denials.
00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:11.420
And Jesus asked him three simple questions all the same thing.
00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.940
Do you love me?
00:33:16.060 --> 00:33:21.420
Jesus doesn't say, Well, Peter, you were supposed to have a much bigger role, but unfortunately, you absolutely blew it.
00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:28.380
No, he restores him and then he gives him responsibility.
00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:32.220
Peter's failure was real.
00:33:32.460 --> 00:33:35.019
His restoration was real too, though.
00:33:38.700 --> 00:33:40.940
Maybe, maybe this is what you need here.
00:33:41.580 --> 00:33:45.340
God's purpose for your life is not as fragile as you think it is.
00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:53.019
Doesn't mean your choices don't matter.
00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:54.380
They absolutely do.
00:33:55.180 --> 00:34:01.340
Doesn't mean every road leads exactly to the same place, and that sin doesn't have consequences.
00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:13.420
It certainly doesn't mean that wisdom doesn't matter, but it does mean that you don't have to live terrified that one bad decision somehow caught God by surprise.
00:34:19.259 --> 00:34:25.659
It's not like you make a choice and God looks down from heaven and says, Well, I didn't see that coming.
00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:33.500
See, God knows us, including our weaknesses and our failures.
00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:36.460
And the decisions we're going to regret.
00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:39.820
And somehow, He's still able to work.
00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:47.099
I mean, look, are there missed opportunities?
00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.139
Absolutely.
00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.940
And I think we need to be honest about that too.
00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:54.460
Sometimes our choices cost us something.
00:34:54.619 --> 00:35:01.420
There are opportunities we can miss, relationships we can damage, years we can waste, consequences we may have to live with.
00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:07.980
Christianity doesn't teach that choices and meaningless are meaningless because God is sovereign.
00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:15.980
But here's the hope: a missed opportunity is not the same thing as a ruined life.
00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:20.460
Bad chapter is not the same thing as a finished story.
00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:25.179
And repentance means that you don't have to spend the rest of your life staring backwards.
00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:33.420
People talk a lot about God's plan A and our plan B.
00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:38.139
And I understand what they're trying to communicate, but I'm not sure that's the most helpful picture.
00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:43.820
Because it can make us imagine God holding the perfect vision of our life, the one we could have had, right?
00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:46.380
If we had just gotten everything right.
00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:49.179
And now we're stuck with a discount Bobo version.
00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.699
And I don't think that's the gospel.
00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:59.019
God doesn't tolerate redeem people who messed up his original idea.
00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:06.940
See, redeeming broken people is the story that he's been telling all along.
00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:13.900
Look at all the people throughout the scripture that he used.
00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:21.660
Abraham makes mistakes, Jacob is a mess, Moses kills a dude, David's failures are enormous.
00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:23.900
Peter denies Jesus himself.
00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:26.139
Paul persecuted Christians.
00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:30.460
God's not looking for people who manage to perfectly execute the blueprint.
00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:39.420
He's working through people who need grace, which is fortunate because that is all of us.
00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.660
Now we have another question.
00:36:49.260 --> 00:36:55.579
If I don't have to live terrified that I'll accidentally ruin God's plan, how do I make decisions?
00:36:55.900 --> 00:37:05.579
Because eventually you still have to choose take the job or don't, move or stay, date so-and-so or not, start whatever it is you're going to start or hold off.
00:37:05.740 --> 00:37:07.180
How do I know what God wants?
00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.700
Do I wait for a sign?
00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:10.460
Do I need perfect peace?
00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:12.700
Do I ask God to open and close doors?
00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:15.579
What role does Scripture play?
00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.500
Prayer?
00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.860
Wisdom?
00:37:19.660 --> 00:37:21.099
What about other people?
00:37:23.180 --> 00:37:30.539
And it is possible that sometimes God does give us more freedom than what He thinks, that we think He does.
00:37:36.059 --> 00:37:41.900
That's where we're headed with this, because maybe following God's plan isn't about successfully predicting your entire future.
00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:50.460
Maybe it's about learning how to make wise, faithful decisions while trusting a God who already knows where the road goes.
00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:05.420
So let me re-emphasize something.
00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:08.700
He knows our future.
00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:13.260
And he's already revealed about a lot about how we want us to live.
00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:22.619
Second, God's purpose isn't so fragile that one bad decision puts us permanently outside of it.
00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:23.579
Great.
00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:26.619
But there's still a problem.
00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:29.980
Tomorrow morning, you still have to make decisions.
00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:33.260
And sometimes you genuinely don't know what God wants you to do.
00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.940
So how do you decide?
00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:41.900
How do you follow God's plan without turning your life into a never-ending search for secret messages?
00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:44.780
I think scripture gives us something much better than that.
00:38:44.860 --> 00:38:46.220
It's not a magic formula.
00:38:46.300 --> 00:38:53.260
It's not spiritual GPS that announces, in 500 feet, turn left into God's will.
00:38:55.820 --> 00:39:06.619
Instead, God gives us scripture, prayer, wisdom, community, and sometimes freedom to make our own decision.
00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:21.260
So in your life, if you're trying to figure out how to make a decision, you should probably start with what God has already said.
00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:27.900
When you say it out loud, it seems so obvious.
00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:36.860
But it's amazing how often we ask God for direction about something he's already addressed.
00:39:40.619 --> 00:39:49.820
If one option requires you to clearly disobey God, I don't think you need a sign.
00:39:53.740 --> 00:39:57.019
I don't think you need some sort of big dream or vision.
00:39:57.260 --> 00:40:00.619
You don't need three people to independently mention the same Bible verse.
00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:02.300
God already said it.
00:40:03.260 --> 00:40:05.980
Psalm 119, 105.
00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:10.619
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
00:40:10.780 --> 00:40:12.380
I love the imagery there.
00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:14.940
A lamp, not a stadium spotlight.
00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:19.019
See, a lamp doesn't necessarily show you five miles down the road.
00:40:19.099 --> 00:40:20.300
We've talked about this.
00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:24.059
It gives you enough light for the next step.
00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:30.539
And maybe, maybe that's part of our frustration.
00:40:32.139 --> 00:40:35.500
We want God to show us the big picture, right?
00:40:35.660 --> 00:40:36.860
The entire map.
00:40:37.180 --> 00:40:43.500
But God often gives us just enough light to walk faithfully today.
00:40:52.059 --> 00:40:54.300
We need to ask for wisdom.
00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:57.740
See, James gives us an incredibly straightforward instruction.
00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.579
James 1, 5 through 8.
00:40:59.740 --> 00:41:08.059
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
00:41:08.619 --> 00:41:17.019
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:21.980
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
00:41:22.700 --> 00:41:26.380
He's a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:31.340
Notice the word that James uses, wisdom.
00:41:31.660 --> 00:41:37.180
He doesn't say if anybody doesn't know God's secret blueprint, ask for supernatural clue.
00:41:38.380 --> 00:41:40.539
He says, ask for wisdom.
00:41:41.019 --> 00:41:42.460
There's a difference.
00:41:42.780 --> 00:41:46.700
Wisdom asks, what does scripture say?
00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:50.139
What have I learned?
00:41:51.420 --> 00:41:54.860
What are the likely consequences of this action?
00:41:55.180 --> 00:41:58.139
What responsibilities do I already have?
00:41:58.619 --> 00:42:01.019
What motives are driving me?
00:42:02.539 --> 00:42:04.940
What would love require?
00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:07.500
What would integrity require?
00:42:07.740 --> 00:42:10.300
See, those are all wise questions.
00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:20.300
Questions like, what decision helps me faithfully follow Jesus?
00:42:22.860 --> 00:42:26.220
There's a key part to this once we ask those questions.
00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:28.300
Pray.
00:42:29.420 --> 00:42:32.460
God, give me wisdom.
00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:41.019
God also gives us people, right?
00:42:41.260 --> 00:42:43.260
He puts people in our lives to help us.
00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:48.860
Proverbs 6, 15, excuse me, 22, says, without counsel, plans fail.
00:42:49.180 --> 00:42:51.500
But with many advisors, they succeed.
00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:53.980
See, that's another piece we sometimes overlook.
00:42:54.139 --> 00:43:02.539
If you're making a major decision in your life and you're trying to figure out if this is part of where you need to be, if it's part of God's plan, talk to wise people.
00:43:02.780 --> 00:43:08.780
Not 20 randos until somebody finally tells you what you want to hear, but people who know you.
00:43:09.099 --> 00:43:12.460
People who you know who you know know scripture.
00:43:13.099 --> 00:43:15.660
People who are not impressed by you.
00:43:17.180 --> 00:43:20.780
And people who love you enough to tell you, I don't think this is a good idea.
00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:26.380
God can use community to help us see things that we can't see ourselves.
00:43:27.180 --> 00:43:35.420
And sometimes the answer to God, please give me direction might partially come through the wise people he's already put around you.
00:43:38.940 --> 00:43:40.940
So what about open doors?
00:43:41.260 --> 00:43:43.579
Christians love talking about open doors.
00:43:43.820 --> 00:43:45.099
God, open the door.
00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:47.740
And yes, sometimes God uses that language.
00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:59.579
Paul does, 1 Corinthians 16, 8 through 9, but I will stay in Ephesians until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
00:44:00.860 --> 00:44:01.820
Interesting.
00:44:02.220 --> 00:44:03.820
There's an open door.
00:44:05.579 --> 00:44:07.019
And opposition.
00:44:08.059 --> 00:44:12.300
See, apparently, difficulty doesn't automatically mean God closed the door.
00:44:12.380 --> 00:44:19.019
Sometimes we assume if it's easy, God must be in it.
00:44:19.260 --> 00:44:22.539
If it's hard, God must be telling me no.
00:44:25.019 --> 00:44:27.740
But that's not consistently how scripture works.
00:44:27.900 --> 00:44:32.300
Sometimes obedience is difficult and the right road has resistance.
00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:38.380
Sometimes an opportunity appearing doesn't mean God wants you to take it.
00:44:39.579 --> 00:44:41.980
See, an open door is worth considering.
00:44:43.180 --> 00:44:44.940
But it's not the only test.
00:44:48.220 --> 00:44:51.820
What about the old saying, well, I just have a peace about it?
00:44:54.700 --> 00:44:57.019
See, here's another phrase Christians use.
00:44:57.340 --> 00:44:59.500
I have peace about it.
00:45:01.260 --> 00:45:02.860
And again, peace matters.
00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:05.099
Look, we talked about the peace of God before.
00:45:05.260 --> 00:45:09.019
We need to be careful, though, about making that feeling of peace a final authority.
00:45:09.180 --> 00:45:13.019
Because sometimes the right decision can be terrifying.
00:45:15.500 --> 00:45:20.059
Jesus in Gethsemane wasn't emotionally comfortable about what was ahead.
00:45:21.099 --> 00:45:26.300
Sometimes obedience requires courage precisely because we don't feel comfortable.
00:45:30.139 --> 00:45:35.260
On the other hand, I can feel incredibly peaceful about something and still be wrong.
00:45:35.740 --> 00:45:38.300
So peace can't be part of discernment.
00:45:41.820 --> 00:45:45.099
But feelings don't outrank scripture.
00:45:47.579 --> 00:45:51.820
And we cannot discount the fact that sometimes there might be more than one good choice.
00:45:53.820 --> 00:45:56.539
This might be one of the most freeing moments in the episode.
00:45:56.700 --> 00:46:00.059
What if sometimes there isn't one secret correct choice?
00:46:00.300 --> 00:46:02.780
What if both options are morally good?
00:46:03.019 --> 00:46:04.539
Neither violates scripture.
00:46:04.619 --> 00:46:07.340
You've prayed, you've asked for wisdom, you've asked for counsel, and you know what?
00:46:08.059 --> 00:46:09.820
Still don't have a lightning bolt from heaven.
00:46:09.900 --> 00:46:12.940
Maybe God isn't giving you permission to choose.
00:46:15.500 --> 00:46:19.579
Maybe God is just telling you either way is fine.
00:46:24.940 --> 00:46:31.099
I mean, we want God to say, I need you to take job A, house B, live in City C.
00:46:32.940 --> 00:46:37.980
But sometimes a loving father isn't standing, he isn't handing his child a script.
00:46:38.619 --> 00:46:41.740
He's given the child wisdom to allow them to walk.
00:46:46.619 --> 00:46:52.780
There's a fascinating example in Romans, Romans 15, 22 through 24.
00:46:53.019 --> 00:46:56.780
This is the reason I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
00:46:57.180 --> 00:47:13.340
But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
00:47:14.380 --> 00:47:15.900
Paul says, I hope.
00:47:16.059 --> 00:47:17.340
See, he has a plan.
00:47:17.500 --> 00:47:23.019
He's thinking strategically, he's looking at circumstances and making his decision about where to go next.
00:47:23.180 --> 00:47:29.420
And interestingly, we don't even know for certain from scripture whether Paul ever made it to Spain or not.
00:47:30.700 --> 00:47:33.740
He's an apostle, he's still making plans.
00:47:35.740 --> 00:47:36.619
That's encouraging.
00:47:36.780 --> 00:47:41.500
Following God doesn't mean shutting off your brain and waiting for supernatural instructions before every decision.
00:47:41.740 --> 00:47:44.700
Sometimes faithful people make plans.
00:47:46.619 --> 00:47:51.019
But hold your plans with open hands.
00:47:53.660 --> 00:47:54.700
What do I mean by that?
00:47:54.860 --> 00:48:00.300
See, scripture gives us the other side of the coin, James 4, 13 through 15.
00:48:00.700 --> 00:48:08.059
Come now, you who say today or tomorrow will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit.
00:48:08.300 --> 00:48:10.460
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
00:48:10.619 --> 00:48:11.740
What is your life?
00:48:12.059 --> 00:48:15.900
For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
00:48:16.380 --> 00:48:21.500
Instead, you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.
00:48:22.380 --> 00:48:24.539
See, James isn't saying don't make plans.
00:48:24.619 --> 00:48:27.340
He's saying don't confuse your plans with sovereignty.
00:48:28.940 --> 00:48:38.059
Absolutely plan, absolutely prepare, use wisdom, make decisions, but hold them with open hands.
00:48:38.700 --> 00:48:41.660
In other words, if the Lord wills.
00:48:44.460 --> 00:48:45.980
That's humility.
00:48:50.059 --> 00:48:53.660
So let's take all of this and let's make it extremely practical.
00:48:53.980 --> 00:48:55.340
You're facing a decision.
00:48:55.579 --> 00:48:56.700
What do you do?
00:48:57.900 --> 00:49:02.780
First question should always be does scripture clearly address it?
00:49:03.180 --> 00:49:05.660
If God's already spoken about it, start there.
00:49:07.260 --> 00:49:10.300
Second, pray for wisdom.
00:49:10.619 --> 00:49:14.460
Not just whatever answer you already want, wisdom.
00:49:16.059 --> 00:49:18.860
Third, check your motives.
00:49:20.300 --> 00:49:26.220
Am I choosing from fear, pride, greed, anger, people pleasing, vanity?
00:49:27.660 --> 00:49:30.300
Or am I genuinely trying to follow Jesus?
00:49:32.940 --> 00:49:35.660
Fourth, seek wise counsel.
00:49:37.500 --> 00:49:40.139
Talk to the people that know God and know you.
00:49:41.660 --> 00:49:44.700
Fifth, consider the consequences.
00:49:45.019 --> 00:49:46.380
God gave you a brain.
00:49:46.460 --> 00:49:48.380
You are allowed to use it.
00:49:49.099 --> 00:50:02.380
And finally, if both options are good, if neither violates scripture, if you've prayed, sought wisdom, listened to counsel, and you still don't have some sort of a supernatural sign, just make the best decision you can and trust God.
00:50:03.820 --> 00:50:05.900
You don't have to be terrified.
00:50:07.019 --> 00:50:11.099
And I think this is where I want this whole talk to land.
00:50:12.220 --> 00:50:15.180
Some Christians are terrified of making decisions.
00:50:15.420 --> 00:50:19.820
Because we're afraid that somewhere out there is this God's perfect plan.
00:50:19.900 --> 00:50:23.660
And if we continue to choose incorrectly, we'll screw it up or miss it.
00:50:25.579 --> 00:50:29.579
What if following Jesus isn't supposed to feel like walking through a minefield?
00:50:29.740 --> 00:50:32.619
What if God isn't hiding his will from you?
00:50:32.860 --> 00:50:36.539
Just waiting to see whether you'll decode the clues correctly.
00:50:38.860 --> 00:50:40.860
What if he's actually a father?
00:50:42.059 --> 00:50:43.740
Teaching you how to walk.
00:50:47.260 --> 00:50:49.980
Proverbs gives us this familiar passage.
00:50:50.139 --> 00:50:52.619
Proverbs 3, verses 5 through 6.
00:50:52.780 --> 00:50:53.660
Trust the Lord.
00:50:53.900 --> 00:50:55.660
Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
00:50:55.900 --> 00:50:57.900
Do not lean on your own understanding.
00:50:58.139 --> 00:51:02.139
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.
00:51:09.740 --> 00:51:11.420
Notice it says path.
00:51:11.740 --> 00:51:12.619
There's movement.
00:51:12.780 --> 00:51:13.740
You're walking.
00:51:13.980 --> 00:51:14.940
You're trusting.
00:51:15.099 --> 00:51:17.260
You're acknowledging God along the way.
00:51:17.820 --> 00:51:19.180
And God directs.
00:51:20.700 --> 00:51:21.340
Look.
00:51:22.619 --> 00:51:24.220
I've gone a long time.
00:51:25.019 --> 00:51:30.059
I do want to tell you a story that my dad told whatever I was in my teeth.
00:51:31.900 --> 00:51:36.220
And he started reading the Bible and started understanding God's purpose in his life.
00:51:37.500 --> 00:51:46.059
He was doing his best to shepherd and mentor a headstrong, handsome young man of a Sunday.
00:51:49.260 --> 00:51:52.940
He sat me down one day and he said, Dennis, I'm gonna tell you something.
00:52:00.539 --> 00:52:02.700
And I want you to know that's changing.
00:52:02.860 --> 00:52:05.099
I am not letting go of the rope.
00:52:06.539 --> 00:52:10.220
But I am giving you a very, very, very long rope.
00:52:14.139 --> 00:52:17.579
And that rope is not to hold you in place.
00:52:19.420 --> 00:52:28.940
That rope is simply there so that when you need me, you tug on it and I'll come running.
00:52:33.260 --> 00:52:35.420
God does the same thing for us.
00:52:37.340 --> 00:52:39.820
We have the freedom to make decisions.
00:52:42.700 --> 00:52:45.740
But he wants us to know he's at the other end of our rope.
00:52:46.940 --> 00:52:48.539
And he's waiting.
00:52:49.180 --> 00:52:52.700
And when we need him, all we have to do is tug.
00:52:54.940 --> 00:52:56.619
And he'll come running.
00:53:01.019 --> 00:53:03.260
So does God really have a plan for my life?
00:53:03.420 --> 00:53:04.940
I think the answer is yes.
00:53:05.260 --> 00:53:07.660
But maybe not the way that we imagined it.
00:53:08.300 --> 00:53:11.980
Yeah, he has purpose for you and he cares about your individual life.
00:53:12.139 --> 00:53:13.019
Yeah, absolutely.
00:53:13.260 --> 00:53:14.619
God will guide you.
00:53:14.940 --> 00:53:26.380
And there may be moments when God gives very specific directions, but I don't think scripture teaches that God's will is one secret blueprint that you're supposed to spend your life terrified of screwing up.
00:53:28.460 --> 00:53:33.740
God's will is not a combination log, and your life isn't ruined because you entered one wrong number.
00:53:34.300 --> 00:53:36.780
God is bigger than your mistakes.
00:53:37.019 --> 00:53:43.980
And he's bigger than someone else's choices, and he's bigger than the opportunities that you missed and the plans that fell apart.
00:53:44.300 --> 00:53:48.460
He is even capable of redeeming things that were never good in the first place.
00:53:51.740 --> 00:53:59.340
Maybe God's plan for your life isn't primarily where you'll work or live or how much money you're going to make or the house that you'll buy.
00:53:59.500 --> 00:54:03.260
Maybe his deeper purpose is who are you becoming?
00:54:03.660 --> 00:54:05.579
And are you becoming more like Jesus?
00:54:05.740 --> 00:54:06.780
Are you loving God?
00:54:06.940 --> 00:54:08.139
Are you loving people?
00:54:08.300 --> 00:54:18.059
Are you learning to forgive, to serve, to give, to trust, to obey.
00:54:22.380 --> 00:54:28.380
Because you can be exactly where you thought God wanted you and still completely miss what He's trying to do in you.
00:54:29.980 --> 00:54:33.500
And you can find yourself somewhere you never expected.
00:54:35.340 --> 00:54:36.059
But guess what?
00:54:36.139 --> 00:54:38.539
You're going to discover that God is already there.
00:54:40.300 --> 00:54:45.260
So instead of waking up every morning asking, God, what's your plan for my life?
00:54:45.500 --> 00:54:51.340
Maybe we could ask something smaller, simpler, maybe something a little more biblical.
00:54:52.700 --> 00:54:57.500
God, how can I faithfully follow you today?
00:54:59.900 --> 00:55:01.420
What have you already told me?
00:55:01.579 --> 00:55:03.660
What responsibility is in front of me?
00:55:03.980 --> 00:55:05.420
Who can I love?
00:55:06.059 --> 00:55:07.579
Where do I need wisdom?
00:55:07.740 --> 00:55:09.180
Where do I need courage?
00:55:09.420 --> 00:55:11.660
Where do I need to obey?
00:55:12.220 --> 00:55:15.740
And then take the next step.
00:55:16.780 --> 00:55:19.019
So you don't need to see the entire road.
00:55:19.180 --> 00:55:24.300
Remember, his word is a lamp unto your feet.
00:55:24.860 --> 00:55:28.780
Sometimes that's just enough light for one more step.
00:55:28.940 --> 00:55:31.900
And then another, and then another.
00:55:32.619 --> 00:55:39.900
And when you look backwards, you may discover that God was guiding you through a story that you possibly couldn't see while you were living it.
00:55:39.980 --> 00:55:42.860
So yeah, I believe God has a plan.
00:55:43.260 --> 00:55:47.820
But maybe freedom is realizing you don't have to figure out the whole thing tonight.
00:55:48.539 --> 00:55:59.579
Just follow Jesus, seek wisdom, make plans, hold them loosely, and trust the God who already knows where your road goes.
00:56:02.139 --> 00:56:05.099
Guys, thank you so much for listening.
00:56:06.059 --> 00:56:15.579
Um, if you know someone who's terrified that they're going to make the wrong decision and somehow ruin God's plan for their life, send them this episode.
00:56:16.619 --> 00:56:18.220
Maybe they need the reminder too.
00:56:18.460 --> 00:56:24.380
God's plan is not nearly as fragile as we sometimes imagine it to be.
00:56:25.340 --> 00:56:30.380
Until next time, keep figuring out faith together.
