God has a plan for each and every one of us. That statement is made clear in Scriptures. However, how are we supposed to know what God’s plan is? How do we know what we are doing is God’s will or just our own desires? These questions can seem rather complex but have simple answers. In this study, we are going to determine why it is important to follow God’s plan and how to discover it.

Probably the most famous verse about God’s plan is Jeremiah 29:11. It 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.”” Now we must remember not to take verses out of context. At this point in Israel’s history, the people are in exile. The people are in a foreign land, their homes and lands have just been ripped away from them and hope is dwindling by the hour. This verse is also in the middle of a letter that Jeremiah wrote to Nebuchadnezzar from the Lord. So in summary, we have people in exile who get an encouraging message from the Lord the He has plans that will make them prosper and have hope and a future. That same concept can be applied to us. We have this promise that God has this wonderful plan for our lives. If we are His children following His ways, we can’t even fathom the prosperous plans He has waiting for us. Because of this promise, we can guarantee that His plans are not dark and gloomy and get us nowhere. His ways are always bright.

If we take that all in, it’s a very encouraging message. However, there is still a thought of ‘how do I know what is God’s plan for my life?’ How do I know He will show me? This can be an overwhelming thought. There are numerous avenues we can take in this world and many choices we can make along those avenues. Relationships, careers, school choices, marriage, church, big purchases, and the list goes on and on. How are we supposed to know the exact route and the exact choices God wants us to make? There is something we must consider first. It is important to remember that God allows free will. This means that yes, God has a plan for us, but that does not mean that every choices we make is included in His plan. I can decide what I’m going to have to eat today between say a hamburger or hot dog. It is not going to matter which one I choose because that will not impact my future in a life-altering way like say choosing between two jobs might.

When deciding which route to take in life, we must remember faith, trust, and prayer will help us see God’s plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” If we trust in God and acknowledge Him and seek Him, we have a promise that God will straighten out our paths. He will let us know. We have to put our faith and trust in God and pray faithfully to Him that He will show us His plan. We must also remember that His plan may not be discoverable until we seek Him and He decides it’s time to show us.

God speaks to us in many ways and we must listen with open hearts and minds to whatever God may be showing us. Seek the Lord, trust the Lord, and listen. I cannot tell you how God is going to speak to you and reveal His plan to you. But Scripture does tell us that if we seek God and ask for His plan to be revealed to us, in His time, He will. With that, we also know because of His promise that it will be the best and most prosperous plan for us.