What Is God’s Plan For Me?

~ David Mercer

What is God’s plan for me?

I’ve asked this question all my life and have never gotten an answer.   Has anybody? 

Not a Bible quote. Not a cryptic message. Not a “sign.” Not a “prompting of the spirit.” Not your own private thought. Not a friend’s strongly expressed opinion. But a clear, unequivocal directive from the Almighty.  

Some claim that they have, but usually they’re pretty subjective.  And on the rare occasion when someone tells me that God actually spoke directly to them, I see haunted eyes glazed over with denial, and I have a hard time believing them.

Most people who are trying to honor God with their actions commit to a lot of study and prayer, then take their best guess as to what God has in mind. And if it doesn’t work out, well then it must have been their fault. They didn’t pray hard enough, or have enough faith, or their hearts weren’t right, or they overlooked the fine print.  Then they would repent, try even harder and be even more careful. 

If we repeat that process enough times we become unable to function.   

Even before I stopped believing altogether, I acknowledged that God never answered my questions so I decided to start taking responsibility for my own actions.  I wouldn’t wait forever for instruction, and I wouldn’t stop at each step, look up for affirmation, and hope I was getting it right.

“We don’t know what God has in mind for you,” I would advise my parishioners. “The only thing you can know for sure is what YOU will do next. So get clear on that.”

Few people liked that answer but it was the only one I had.  It helped me to move forward and stop second guessing myself. 

Whether they believe in God or not, I encourage everyone to take full responsibility for their own actions. Make your decisions, correct your mistakes, and keep moving forward.

Published by David Mercer

After thirty-five years as I minister, I walked away from that life to begin again. As I continue my life journey, I help others find their way, too. Want to walk together for a while?

12 thoughts on “What Is God’s Plan For Me?”

  1. David,
    Have you ever considered staying in Ministry? While I am not religious, I did like the community I felt growing up in the Catholic church. Later in life, I started going to a Unitarian Universalist service (UUA). The one by me has people of many different religions and worldviews (Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist….).

    You seem to have the knack of communicating and could probably do a great job of reaching out to everyone.

    Just my 2c.

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  2. He creates everything perfectly, as in, it functions and every plant and creature gets its day in the sun. Then we expect Him to micromanage and get confused and angry when He does not. From every scripture I’ve ever read, even often quoted things like ‘ask and you shall receive,’ I’ve never read anything promising that all decisions and directions will be made for us. I am happy with this hands off approach.

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    1. Here’s some scripture to consider:

      Matthew 10:29–Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

      Matthew 6:30–If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

      Luke 12:27-31–And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

      These verses suggest something the opposite of a hands off approach. And these are the verses that give me problems because they are not true.

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    1. Thanks Karen. I studied all my life to (1) understand what that verse means and then (2) practice it. I have an Mdiv and read plenty on the subject and I don’t think anyone has a clear answer. But if it works for you, that’s great.

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  4. We have this one life. This short time. It is a shame people use it up trying to appease and follow the “will” of somthing that does not seem to care. People looking for answers from God always like to read cercomstance as proof of responce and confirmation that God is answering them. I enjoyed reading your thoughts.

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  5. I just found your blog and have enjoyed the little I have had time to peruse. I too was a faithful but questioning Christian for many years who kept attending church, but never found any comfort or answers there or from prayer. I just seems so bizarre to me that a “god” could exist that would allow the kind of suffering and evil that is perpetuated daily against the innocent. If that is “god’s” plan, I can do without it. Free will and begging prayer cannot live in the same universe. Keep up the good fight and be a kind, thoughtful and helpful human being. That, I have found, is the most rewarding life I can live. But I miss the community of a church, so I sometimes wonder if sitting through the hypocrisy is worth it?

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    1. Hi Susan. I miss the community st times too altho I like the privacy I’ve experienced months last year. I think being kind and truthful ought to help you form a kind of community.

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