Expert: Scott Talbot - 3/3/2008

Question
I was told in college that God had an individual, personal plan for me, and that it would be fulfilled if I followed His leading and made choices where I sensed His guiding hand. Would you agree? Is there a Biblical basis for this? Or is there more of an overarching, eternal plan (saving the world) and it is our duty as Christians to walk with God by working toward that plan?

Answer
Hi Aisha,

I'm glad you wrote. You ask a very good question.

I believe that God does have a plan for each one of us. He has a plan for you. The controversial question is: How do we discover this plan?

We could spend quite a bit of time discussing this topic, but I will try to keep it brief. First, we have God's revealed truth, which we find in the Bible. According to James 1:5, the way we should live our lives is by wisdom. Wisdom literally means "skill," and implies skill in living. It includes the idea of learning truth, understanding how to apply that truth to our everday lives, and then implementing those practical principals--LIVING the truth. Proverbs makes this emphasis when it talks about knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

God's principals, as found in His Word, cover more of our lives than we realize. It includes the larger, overarching objectives, such as sharing the gospel and glorifying God. But it also includes principles that can be applied to specific decisions.

But there are certain issues of life that cannot be easily decided through simply applying the principles of God's Word. Issues such as where to go to school, what career path to choose, where to live, whom to marry, whether or not to make certain purchases, etc.--we can get guidance from the principles of the Bible. But God will not typically write the answer in the sky. We are left to make the wise choice.

I believe that, according to Romans 12:1-2, James 1:5ff, and other passages, we should saturate our minds with Scripture and learn to adopt God's perspective and values. We should pray for wisdom regarding certain decisions. And then we should move forward, trusting His promise that He will give us (or HAS given us) the wisdom to make the right choices. We need to trust God's hand of providence in our lives.

Certain elements of our lives will unfold with little or no action on our parts. God may guide us to a certain job, a certain spouse, a certain vocation. God's personal plan for you will unfold and He works in your life to make it want He wants--with or without your cooperation. Of course, we're responsible to do our part and mature in Christ, as well as make wise choices. But God also plays a role. We may not know in advance where He'll take us. But we will certainly see Him at work as we pay attention to what He's doing ... and as we look back and see how He has guided in the past.

I hope this helps. Feel free to write back.

Scott