When we are children we are usually carefree and happy. We don’t have too many worries concerning our future. But, as we start growing into the teen years and into being young adults, we may start trying to plan for our future.

Through inspiration Jeremiah told those of Judah who were in Babylonian captivity, “…I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (29:11).

Though there is nothing wrong with making plans for our future, God also has a plan for each of us. So, what is that plan?

(1)He wants all to come to a knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:3­4). This shows God’s love for us.

(2)He wants all to obey the truth. What is the truth? John 17:17 says that God’s Word is truth. God’s Word tells us to obey the gospel. What is the gospel? It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (I Cor. 15:1­4). Prior to our belief in Christ, our repentance of sins, and our confession of Christ as Lord, we re­enact Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection through baptism in order to be added to His church (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3; Acts 8:37; Mk. 16:15­16; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3­6; I Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:41, 47).

(3)He wants us to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18). Why is it important for us to grow in Christ? In order to come to a proper understanding of the scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16­17) and to develop holiness. God is holy and desires that we be holy in all our conduct (I Pet. 1:15). Without holiness we will be no different than the world, and without a pure and holy mind we will not see God (Matt. 5:8).

(4)As a woman, what is God’s plan for me in the home?

a. It is here that we should have a stable atmosphere in which to nurture our children, love our husbands, and grow stronger as a family unit. We are to submit to our husbands and love our husbands. (Eph. 5:22, 24). God planned it this way in order for peace to ensue. Someone has to be the figure of authority.

Our husbands are also to love us as their own bodies (Eph. 5:25, 28); they are to be understanding of us and give us honor (I Pet. 3:7).

b. We are to train our children (Prov. 22:6). We must bring them up in the ways of the Lord (Eph. 6:1­4). We must be proper examples for them in our speech, our dress, and our demeanor. We must have a genuine faith (2 Tim. 1:5). We must teach them the Word at every opportunity (Deut. 6:6­8). We must discipline our children beginning at a young age, before they are out of control (Prov. 19:18).

(5)As a woman, what is God’s plan for me in the church? Though we are to learn in quietness and not to have authority over the man (I Tim. 2:11­12), there are many ways we can serve. We can bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), we can do good to all (Gal. 6:10), older women are to teach younger women (Tit. 2:3­5).

(6)God’s plan is for me to evangelize (Mt. 28:1­20; Mk. 16:15). This is much easier said than done, isn’t it? But, we cannot let those who reject the gospel be a discouragement to us. We must focus on the command to ‘go’ and not on those who will say, ‘no.’ We are Christ’s ambassadors; we represent His gospel (2 Cor. 5:18­20).

He has no other way but our feet to get to others, our hands to hold up His Word, and our voice to speak His will.

By Becky Honeycutt

All scriptures from NKJV