The past few weeks have seen us individually and as a church community continue to consecrate and dedicate ourselves to fulfilling God’s plans for our lives and our local church assembly. We looked at Jesus’ example, praying that prayer of consecration or dedication to do God’s will in Matthew 26:36-46, in the garden of Gethsemane. Noteworthy was His emphasis on, “not as I will, but as You will” and “Your will be done”, signaling His commitment to doing whatever the Father required of Him.
One of the most frequently asked questions during this period of consecration and rededication has been, “Are the difficulties we encounter, or the smoothness of the journey, good indicators that we are in the plan of God for our lives?” Well, looking at some examples in the scriptures, especially in the New Testament, of people who have consecrated their lives to God’s plans, it quickly becomes clear that neither a preponderance nor lack of challenges alone cannot be the singular or primary indicator of being in God’s will.
In Acts, Jesus sends Ananias to go and minister to Saul (who became Paul) saying, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15-16 NLT). You will notice Jesus is confirming that He’s chosen a plan for Paul’s life and chosen Paul for that plan. But, we also see that Paul must have consecrated himself to that plan, because he later told King Agrippa that he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19 ). And yet, we know that Paul endured tremendous pressure and hardship throughout his ministry (see 2 Corinthians 6:4 - 10). Nevertheless, he was able to declare to Agrippa that "having obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great" (Acts 29:23). And he declared, towards the end of his life that he had fought a good fight, and finished his course (2 Timothy 4:7).
Likewise, Jesus knew there was a sacrifice to be made for mankind and faced tremendous pressure to change His mind. Hebrews 12:2 says that He “…for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame”. We know He was chosen for God’s plan of redemption, and we know He understood what the plan entailed, how much He would have to go through to fulfill that plan. Hence His prayer in the face of pressure “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except, I drink it, thy will be done”(Matthew 26:42). And thank God, He did drink that cup.
From these examples we see that being consecrated to God’s plan is not a shield against the pressures or challenges of this world. But, because it is His plan, we can also know for sure that He fully intends to take care of us and to bring those plans to pass – as we walk with Him:
“I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11 Message).
“I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome”. (Jeremiah 29:11, AMPC).
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)
We really must settle in our minds that although there is always an adversary (the devil) arrayed against us, we can (and should) consecrate ourselves to following God’s plan, because we know that plan will always bring us to the place He wants us to be, a place He has designed for our good. And, like Jesus and Paul, we can draw strength in the place of consecration to stay in His plan. Consider this: as much as He designed a plan for you, specifically, He also designed you for that unique plan.
So, what should be primary is our individual knowledge and understanding of what those plans are and a willingness to daily and (if necessary) in the face of adverse conditions, consecrate and dedicate our lives to them. Then we can watch as Love (God) takes hold with us and walks along with us in fulfilling them.(Phillipians4:13 AMPC).
In Him,
