“If God has a plan for your life, and you have a plan for your life, whose plan do you think is better?” Christian psychologist, Henry Brandt’s question has an obvious answer, right? It turns out that only those with a renewed mind truly grasp that God’s plan really is more pleasing than the world’s.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
I remember a young woman asking me at church to pray for her to know God’s will. She wanted to know whether to marry her sexual partner. Yet, if she really wanted God’s will, this church raised woman would not have been engaging in sex outside of marriage. What she wanted was God’s blessing, not His will. I’m sure the world had told her the Bible was old fashioned, and its standards on sex were meant for a different time. This kept her from realizing God’s best.
God’s Word may not name your ideal marriage partner, but it clearly defines God’s moral boundaries. People who sincerely want God’s will won’t look for it in places God has set off limits.
God’s principles work because God created us and knows what is best for us. They are timeless, not archaic. They refresh and protect us.
“Obedience,” George MacDonald said, “Is the opener of eyes.”[1] He also said, “There are good things God must delay giving. God must first make his child fit to receive and fit to have.”[2]
The world pressures you to meet its standards to be accepted. God says you are accepted on the basis of what Christ has done. The Spirit of the Lord brings liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17); the spirit of the world brings slavery (Romans 6:17). God wants your eternal best.
The one who designed a car knows the best fuel and the proper way to maintain the car. “But it’s my car,” you may say, “and I can pour a soft drink in it if I want.” You can, but your car won’t run well, if it runs at all. Going outside God’s revealed ways is like pouring cola in your gas tank. That choice restricts your liberty and joy instead of enhancing it.
The Scripture clearly states that God has a plan for your life, and it is perfect. His plan for you fits into His total plan. But you can’t recognize its beauty while you live and think like the world. Renewing your mind opens your eyes, guides your heart, and brings you rest.
Enjoy this video on Famous Failures.
Blessings,
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
[1] George MacDonald, “The Way,” Unspoken Sermons, 2nd Series, p.22; quoted in C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, An Anthology, p. 42.
[2] Wisdom To Live By From George MacDonald, Part I, God’s Being and Character-The Work of the Father, http://macdonaldphillips.com/fromtheheart.html, Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006. October 16, 2011.
Awesome Debbie! Thanks for this reminder and encouragement.
Matt
This is a sad story on several levels, and stresses the need for something other than what this woman experienced in the church and at home, because it is clear that the Holy Spirit is not in her. The church has failed and also the parents have failed to show the transformative nature of Christ, which begs the question, were the parents actually Christians, or mere law officers?
If we truly have the Holy Spirit in us, then wouldn’t that make us humble because we know how shamefully sinful we are? If we truly have the Holy Spirit, would it not grieve us when we sin, and when we see others sin? Would we not also go through the day in constant prayer so that we could know his will for whatever situation we find ourselves? Would we not also strive to love God and love others? Would we not hunger to spread the gospel with any means possible?