“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10 NLT
“What am I supposed to do?” It’s a question we all ask ourselves at some point, probably more than once. If we don’t know where to look for the answer or who to ask, we can find ourselves wandering without clear direction or stuck with no real answers at all. Looking to God and His Word will always give us more clarity.
The first step toward doing the good things God has planned for us is trusting Him for direction.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (NLT). This verse helps us to see that we may not always understand every aspect of God’s plan and purpose, but we can still trust Him for the direction we need. His direction will always lead us closer to the good plans He has made.
I have worked and served in ministry for most of my adult life. During that time, my family and I have moved multiple times, changed jobs, and adjusted to different rhythms of life as we followed God’s plan. It was not always easy, but God always had a purpose—even when His direction took us down unexpected paths.
Letting God direct us puts us in a position for God to use us.
Those unexpected paths have led us to places and circumstances that we never would have chosen on our own. Along the way, God has used us to share the Gospel and teach His Word to people we never would have met otherwise. The result of letting God use us has been greater than anything we could have planned.
Because of our willingness to go where God leads us, we’ve been able to witness Him do amazing work in the lives of people He put in our path. We’ve been faithful to share the Gospel, and we’ve watched lives change as people have put their trust in Jesus as their Savior, grown in their faith, gotten baptized, and made the life-changing decision to let God use them for His purposes. I couldn’t have planned any of that and I certainly couldn’t have accomplished any of it without the Lord leading the way. We didn’t change their hearts—God did. All we had to do was follow His leading; He accomplished it all.
Letting God use us is a daily decision and His purposes unfold one step at a time.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (NLT). There’s nothing wrong with making plans or establishing goals, as long as we have our hearts set on following Jesus. We have to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and flexible enough to follow Him when our plans need to change.
You don’t have to be a pastor, a missionary, or a ministry professional to be used for God’s purposes. I know far more people who are making a difference in God’s kingdom by faithfully serving right where He has placed them. Some of these people are being used by God in their workplaces, schools, or churches, and some are serving Him in their own homes while raising families.
Letting God use you for His purposes means trusting Him for the plans He has for you, right where you are. He has a purpose and a plan for you each day, and will faithfully guide you to it and through it. Trusting Him for that will accomplish more than you could imagine.
Heavenly Father, I believe You have good plans and a purpose for me today and every day. Help me to trust You and allow You to use me to accomplish those plans. Direct my steps and show me which path to take as I follow You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
