God's cool plan

[p60]

It seems like one of the most common and irritating parts about Christianity is how obsessed people are about God's path, especially in the area of relationships.

People will make unfounded statements such as "well it's alright cuz really God knows which path and way is best for me, and if I do remain single for 8 more years, that's fine because that is God's path, and my Father knows whats best for me.

It's probably one of the most frustrating things that I hear coming out of a Christians mouth.
I mean sure, God knows what's best for all of us, but do you really think that there is only one path to doing good in your life? That there is only one 'good' way to live your life, to skin a cat?

And beyond that, how do you people know if something is "God's will" for you? How do you know for example, if you are not hooked up with somebody, that that is the way God wanted it to be? People assume that they know God's path somehow (that they can just "sense" it) and they also assume that they are walking it.
(or maybe they just say the path they are walking is the one that God intended for them)

In any case, I get sick of hearing about "God's Plan" and all of that, because we don't know what it is, the only way we can even have insights is through reading the Bible and applying a little healthy reasoning on top of that. And even then there is still very much that we do not know!

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

Hmmmm...God has revealed His Plan to me time and time again.

The key is being willing to listen, to obey and to trust.

I absolutely believe that God has a plan for my life. He had a plan for me when He created me.

He's all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. How on earth could I know what is better for my life than He does? I'll stick with trusting Him and discovering His Will and Plan for my life, thank you.

 

[klewlis]

It may not be the same for everyone, but this is how it has always worked for me:

I stick close to God (as much as I can in my weakness) and I pray about decisions in my life that I need to make. When it is all said and done, I have actually made very few decisions in my life because instead God simply directs the course so that I naturally run in one direction--like setting up dams in order to direct the course of a river. The river didn't actually choose which way to go, it just went in the way that was open at the time. When I look back at my life, I see it as being perfectly orchestrated, and I have absolutely no regrets. So it must be right. I firmly believe that in *my* life, God has had a specific path that he has wanted me to follow. And really, because of his sovereignty I almost can't make the wrong decision--even in times when I was being stupid and rebellious and cold to God, he was still directing and orchestrating my life.

I guess I'm a calvinist at heart

 

[p60]

I respond the this when I get back to class,

in the mean time..
another phrase that annoys me, "In His time"
His time isnt the same as our time, bla bla bla

 

[p60]

oh, and another thing that ticks me off:

when I was talking about how nice it would be to have a girlfriend my good Christian friend comes along and tells me "I'm sure God has a very special girl down the road for you to spend your life with"

And in the mean time what should I do? lol. This friend also has had multiple girlfriends before (after he made this comment) what a hypocrite.

 

[klewlis]

sounds like you have some bitterness.

I don't see any of these things as a big deal.

 

[jenptcfan]

when I was talking about how nice it would be to have a girlfriend my good Christian friend comes along and tells me "I'm sure God has a very special girl down the road for you to spend your life with"

And in the mean time what should I do? lol. This friend also has had multiple girlfriends before (after he made this comment) what a hypocrite.

Maybe he was just trying to encourage you? I don't see what he said as hypocritical.

I mean don't you want God to have a very special girl down the road for you to spend your time with?

God DOES have a plan, and God DOES reveal his plan. But he does it when he wants to, and without a humble attitude before him, he might not ever reveal it. God has directed me in some situations and I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that he has led me down paths he intended me to travel. Sometimes when I'm praying about what direction I should go, he reveals himself by bathing me in his peace. Other times he will direct me to a bible verse which fits the situation perfectly.

You, yourself said that God gives us insight via his Word, so here's a little piece of his word which encourages me when I'm waiting on his timing:

Psalm 139:16
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

When I read that passage I remind myself: God's already seen your life from beginning to end. You have not. Trust Him.

 

[LifeInYou]

p60,

I have as much faith in God and love for Him as do these other CF members but at the same time, I feel the same way you do (although I don't let it bother me, I just see it as a difference between us). This is a theological issue, really. Many Christians believe that God's will for our lives is a straight path, and if we are not perfectly on the line, we are out of his will. I see God as a God who is able to work His plan through many (not all) different paths we may choose. I also believe that God does not know everything in advance, perhaps because He has restrained His power to know, I'm not really sure. On several different occassions in the Bible God has either 1) Changed his mind or 2) been sincerely surprised at the actions of His people. (Examples, after God made Saul king and saw what kind of king he turned out to be, the bible says that He was 'grieved' because He had made Saul king. Grieving over something would seem to me that expectations were not met, or an element of 'surprise' was present. God had high hopes for Saul, God *thought* Saul would behave one way, Saul did not, God was grieved. Another one, God specifically told Hezekiah how many years he had left to live, Hezekiah prayed, and God extended His life for several more years). Personally, I believe the future is partly settled, and partly open. Settled in that God had a plan for Salvation, and through the nation of Israel he implemented His plan. Open in that, Israel rebelled many times, people let God down, but, by accommodating and changing His plans occassionally, God ensured that His plan would be carried out. Open in that, I do not believe God knows who will choose Him and who will not. I believe He does know that some people will choose Him and some won't. Which makes our mission to go out and reach all the nations with the gospel seem like an intelligent thing to do, since it's really not certain who will come to Christ. When I read passages in the Bible which speak of predestination I interpret the phrase 'predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Christ' as exactly what it says. Meaning, that the only thing predestined about the people who choose Christ, is that they will indefinately be conformed to his likeness. I believe that the people of God are elect, but that they have to choose themselves (by choosing Christ) to be elect. My thinking is not the classical way of thinking, I realize this, but I believe there is substantial proof in the Bible that God is a God of 'the Possibilities' and He is so secure in Himself in carrying out His plan for humanity, that He is comfortable leaving part of the future open. A better illustration, perhaps, of what I mean by the future being partly open, and partly settled. Tomorrow, you know what you're planning to do throughout the day, yes? Go to school, work, come home, eat, etc. But you do not know who you will talk to, what kind of food you'll be in the mood for lunch, etc. etc.

As far as God's 'special one' He has chosen for us, eh, no thanks. I heard a story of a couple one time. They were both vehement about the Lord, and undoubtedly sure that their coming together was apart of 'God's plan'. Several years later he fell away and it ended in a nasty, bitter divorce. For awhile there she thought it was God's fault for giving her the 'go ahead'. Why would He mislead her? Love can be a 'heavenly' feeling, especially when both partners are on fire for Christ. It has to be perfect, right? God surely is blessing this.

In the area of choosing a mate I think God is permissive. In my mind we can discover the types of people that, when united with, we can do the best work for the Lord, simply by reading the scriptures. I also believe that by seeking Him in prayer we can be given better understanding as to whom would be a beneficial choice for us. But, bottom line, this decision, like others, involves taking a chance.

 

[mina]

I understand your frustration and I've felt those thoughts before. What I have arrived at is that God does have a plan for believers and that includes all areas of their life including romance. That doesn't mean you are going to be single for ever. The bottom line that I've learned is "do you trust God, really really really trust Him to be God in your life?" That doesn't mean to sit around and do nothing, but to find His will in even the smallest steps and go forward. We see the small unconnected parts of our lives but God sees the big picture and how it plays into His plan for His kingdom. I'm not trying to preach at you, i'm repeating this for myself too. NOTHING in my life makes sense right now, NOTHING. My romantic life is one big confusion and i'm in a situation that really hurts my heart right now. I can't force anything and there is no guarntee that it's going to turn out the way I want it to. The only thing that does make sense is Jesus. God is in control and He is able to make all grace abound to you. Sometimes life doesn't turn out how we want, sometimes it does, but you have to trust that God knows what He's doing. God is big enough to plan someone's life and then reveal it to them. It may not be a straight shot path, there may be many twists and turns along the way, but it is a path that God will go before you in.

 

[HoosierCanuck]

P60quote: oh, and another thing that ticks me off:

when I was talking about how nice it would be to have a girlfriend my good Christian friend comes along and tells me "I'm sure God has a very special girl down the road for you to spend your life with"

On that comment I know how you feel. I have a former co-worker who used to say that 'there is someone out there for everyone.' That, to me, is the most FALSE statement ever said! What about people with severe disabilities and the mental capacity of a 3-year-old????? Hello????!!!!! Yes, I believe we need to love everyone but someone in that situation is NOT destined to have romantic love in their lives.

I believe that some of us with average/above average IQs aren't either. I have pretty much said all my life that I am not meant to be married and have children. I said it when I WASN'T a Christian, I say it still now that I am. I believe a lot in God's Timing....it doesn't mean that I agree with it or like it sometimes but I believe in it. I have seen it at work many times in my life in a lot of situations...devine intervention has saved my life many times (actually, physically SAVED my LIFE)

If I am wrong and I AM meant to have a hubby then I think I will 'know.' A non-Christian might call it 'intuition.' A Christian would call it God's Will. I think it's a huge grey area....but then again, life is full of those!

 

[Cordy]

I hope I am allowed to post in this forum. I am married, but I remember what it was like being single…

My mother literally heard God tell her she was going to marry my dad the day she met him. My mom couldn’t believe it because she though she would never consider even giving this guy a date. They were married about 10 years later, through a twist of life events, and have remained together ever since.

My husband and I were friends before we were married. One day he told me how he felt, and I KNEW that moment that this was going to be my husband (we were not even dating yet). I started crying because I really knew it, not simply felt it. And there were many revelations in our life together.

God does have a plan for you. He has a plan for everyone. So, you want a girlfriend now, and you don’t have one. I don’t think that is a good reason to simply throw away the hope that God does have a plan better than you could hope for.

Sometimes God wants people to be single for a while for certain reasons. Perhaps there are certain areas God is working on you before you enter a serious relationship. I recommend focusing on God rather than your frustrations, and you might be surprised at how God’s plan will be revealed itself in the most wonderful way!

 

[Grommit]

This subject get's tossed around so much and always ends up with both sides getting no where. One thing that does happen is that people leave the 'discussion' more stubborn in their own personal belief with a hardened heart which is a pernicious situation to put yourself in. With that said, here's what I believe/do...



Seek after God first with all your heart and let things happen as they happen. Do things you want to do and be content with it because if you truly love and strive after God, then the things you decide will be based off the guidelines he's given us through his word. Live with trust and faith. Be obedient to God. He is sovereign in case you forgot. If you yield to him you will be in the best position to be in to do what he has planned for you be it his general will for us or perhaps a specific plan just for you (if you believe he has one or not). God is God. He knows what he's doing better than you or I do. As far as I am concerned, he knows I seek after him and that I desire to be pleasing to him. What more can I do? I'm in his hands and thats good enough for me. I see God's will as being more of the 'journey' with him and not the final 'destination' of it.


As for a man or woman in your life. Like I really know. And those who say they know, who knows if they really know. I'm not even going to pretend to know anymore because it's totally confusing. Again, I can only seek after him and let life be as it is for me.

Oh, If it's not in God's time then who makes the time? Us? If so, then I choose that time to be now!

*waits*

Hmm... nothing. I wonder what went wrong.

 

[InHim23]

"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer 29:11
We are called with a Holy calling according to His own purpose in Christ. 2 Tim 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

We are God’s workmanship with preordained footsteps in Christ. Eph 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

God Bless,
InHim 23

**TO GOD BE THE GLORY**

 

[Ceris]

I hope I am allowed to post in this forum. I am married, but I remember what it was like being single…

My mother literally heard God tell her she was going to marry my dad the day she met him. My mom couldn’t believe it because she though she would never consider even giving this guy a date. They were married about 10 years later, through a twist of life events, and have remained together ever since.

My husband and I were friends before we were married. One day he told me how he felt, and I KNEW that moment that this was going to be my husband (we were not even dating yet). I started crying because I really knew it, not simply felt it. And there were many revelations in our life together.
QUOTE]

I hope it will be as clear cut for me as it was for you.