3 Keys To Find Purpose In Your Plans
Photo by Alexa Williams
I love planners, yes I do, I love planners, how about you? Yes, I am cheering for planners, and I know that I am not the only one who gets really excited for a new planner this time of year. I have tried almost every kind of planner there is - some I really like, and others didn't quite work for me. I have actually adapted some planners and have made my own weekly pages to fit my life.
So, what does planning have to do with the theme of hope this month? A lot! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." See, even God has plans made for you. He has written them in His “planner” for your life, and it is full of good things. His plans for you include hope and a future - not just any future, but a good one! The only deterrent that can prevent you from receiving that excellent plan for your life is you! If you choose to have your life your way, you forfeit God's plan. He won't override your will. He wants you to hope in Him and expect that His plans are best and will bring you peace beyond your understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
He Knows the plans
The first part of Jeremiah 19:11 says that He knows the plans for your life. He knows your purpose and exactly what you were created to do. Wow! Isn't that incredible? So often, I think we can feel like we don't matter - that anyone can fill our shoes. Yet, God has plans specifically for you to do. Maybe He has called you to write a book. Sure, there are many books out there, but no one can give your message like you. Your voice, your personality, and your giftings are unique to you. God has the perfect plan to fit those unique giftings and the nature that He gave you.
It is easy to play the comparison game or illuminate the faults that we see in ourselves, but God has a vision for your life, and He is not comparing you to anyone but you. When you stand before God one day (and we all will), He's going to ask you if you fulfilled YOUR plan, the things He had for YOU to do. And I don't think that our many excuses that we give for not walking in the fullness of what God has for us are going to cut it!
Many people fear God's plans because they believe that they won't like them - that they will be miserable and bored following God's plan. Well, let me tell you, following God's plan is anything but boring, and it is certainly not miserable. Those doubtful thoughts come from the enemy trying to prevent you from walking in your divine purpose. He wants to knock you off of your mark so that you will struggle and go through life from one mess to the next.
However, I think most of us want to follow God's plan for our lives - we're just not sure how. The following steps will walk you through how to find purpose in your plans so that you can stand before God one day and hear, "Well done!"
What Are Your Desires?
God wants you to dream and dream BIG! What desires have you always had? Psalms 37:4 says, "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." What things have you always been drawn to? When I was young, I loved writing. I don't always have the words to speak, but my message flows smoothly when I write. Who do you think put the desire to write in me? I also have always loved music. Playing instruments and singing comes naturally to me. Who do you believe graced me with those talents and giftings? The best thing is, I don't sing like anyone else, and I don't write like anyone else. My giftings are unique to me, and I am the only one who can fulfill the Colette-sized plan God has for me to use those gifts. It's a perfect fit - and I LOVE doing those things.
Make a Vision Board
Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it." It is good and powerful to write down the desires of your heart. These are more than New Years Resolutions, Your vision is where you are going. There is something that happens when we look at and see ourselves doing something that we desire. So, what do you want for your life? Remember to dream BIG! Next, print out pictures that correlate to what you want. Put them in a Dream and Vision book or on a bulletin board somewhere - whatever works for you. I have a book that I use, but I also have printed off pictures and dreams and have them taped inside my planner's cover. That way, I look at it and review those plans and desires every day. For example, I have printed off the Best-Selling Christian book page and pasted a picture of my own book on it. Why? I believe that my book will become a best-seller! So, grab your supplies and get busy writing out the vision for your life.
Create a Plan
The next step is to make goals to achieve some of your visions. Writing out your goals for the year, months, weeks, and days will help keep you accountable in moving toward your vision for your life. Planning your future, months, and days is an important habit to have if you want to have your vision come to pass and walk out the plan that God has for you. We need to be disciplined to stay on course and not lose heart. As Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for, in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Here is an excerpt from my book, "Planted," that explains why planning is so important:
I used to think that writing my weekly and daily agenda down was a waste of time. I felt that I could keep my schedule and to-do's straight in my mind; besides, I didn't want to become rigid with my time.
Now, I will say that when I had young children at home, I would get frustrated when I tried to have a schedule that never panned out. I have since learned that just because I write down a plan doesn't mean that I have to stick with it, nor does it mean that if I waver from my original plans, I failed!
I really felt that I had failed if I didn't keep up with my unrealistic schedule and to-do list - remember "Wonder Poppins?" Instead of using a plan as a tool to help me, it was a source of anxiety. I didn't know how to properly plan my days to fit the season of life I was in. So, I went from one extreme of trying to have every minute planned with a 4-year old, 2-year old, and infant (INSANE) to deciding to do the extreme opposite and not have any plan! Oh, boy! That 26-year old momma of three needed help!
We have seasons and times in our lives that require different kinds of planning. There are times that it is necessary and vital to have a rigid schedule for our days and other times when we need to be flexible. How do you know what type of plan is best for you? Ask your creator! Ask Him to show you what you need to do for your time of life and your personality...
There are so many great planners out there, and it can seem a little daunting to know which one will work best for you. However, the most important thing is to get your plan written down in a way that motivates you toward your goal and vision for your life.
If you are new to planners, you can check these out. This is an affiliate link. Therefore if you purchase one, you also will help support this ministry.
Of course, no plans can come to pass without setting the right foundation. I encourage you to start each day with God and get His plan for each and every day. I have created a daily journal and devotion guide for you to use for your morning devotions. Stay tuned for how you can get the first month for free.
I hope you are encouraged today that God has a plan for your life, and He has already downloaded the desires for that plan in your heart. The more you follow after Him, the more that plan will be revealed.