This last week, my church celebrated baptisms. I was honored to watch as a couple people shared their testimony before obediently following Christs’s command in the waters of baptism.
It’s a time that brings goosebumps to my arms.
At Christ Church, the testimonies aren’t trite or over simple. People write them out and read them to the congregation. And they are like master classes in telling the gospel.
I love it.
But this time, something different happened. The young person, as they finished their testimony, made the statement “And now I know God has a plan for my life…”
That one line really stuck with me.
It’s true. I want to say that up front.
God has a plan for their life. Just like He has a plan for my life and your life.
But that is underselling the situation to an almost criminal level.
Saying that God has a plan does nothing to clarify what that plan is. Or to say how a person could know or celebrate the plan.
To be honest, it’s kind of a wistful statement.
I know God has a plan, and I suppose it will be good, even though I can’t see it or really imagine what it might be…
Ugh.
I would like to suggest that there is a much better statement that we could make instead of that one line. A statement that is more true and more powerful and more directive than the hopeful plan.
God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
This is a master class of truth in one sentence.
I would submit that this statement is equally true for every believer on the face of the earth across all time.
- In my job, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my relationships, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my hobbies, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my church attendance, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my decision of where to live, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my decision of where to go to school or what topics to study, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
- In my choice of books to read for leisure, or movies to watch for entertainment, God’s plan is to use my life for His glory.
Just as God used Jehoram, whose passing no one regretted. Just as God used the Apostle Peter – who put is foot in is mouth as often as on the ground. Just as God used the person who told you about Jesus.
The best thing is that we don’t have to be responsible for God’s Glory. He is. And that’s enough. But are you ready to be used? Are you ready to live your life in a way to submit it to His stewardship?
The question isn’t what God is going to do, or if we’ll make the right decision that will make it “easy” for Him to do something. Let God be God. Our task is to live our lives in a way befitting of His glory.
Yes, I’ve been thinking about writing a book on knowing and doing the will of God. You might remember that in an early email I said that one of the most influential books in my life (besides the Bible) is Decision Making and the Will of God by Gary Friesen. I learned this many years ago in its pages.
And now I want to share it forward.
I hope you find it useful.
Dennis
