God Does Not Have A Plan For Your Life

"Boo.  Hiss", say all the Christians.  But, Jason, I thought you were a Christian.  I thought you would certainly believe that God has a plan for my life.  You write this blog.  You offer coaching to other leaders.  You lead people at your church. You're writing a book on leadership.  Isn't all that so people can find that perfect plan God has laid out for them since the beginning of time?

Nope.  Not really.  Well, it might be more precise to say not exactly.  I do write this blog and do all those other things so you can find ways to lead yourself.  And one of my deepest desires is that you would lead yourself toward God and His plans.  But, let me be clear.  I do not believe God has a plan for your life.  

However, I do believe He has a plan for the world and sure would like you to be a part of that plan.  Not only that, He wants you to use the specific gifts He's given you to make the greatest contribution you can make to His Kingdom!  Here's why I dislike the "God has a great big plan for your life" speak.  Quite simply, it turns the conversation selfish in a hurry.  If we look at our lives as an opportunity to walk out God's big plan for us, it's about us.  But, the longer I live, the more I realize it's not about us. It's about Him. And if that offends you, I'm glad.  If the idea that life is much more about God than you is offensive, then you do not understand your place in this world.  


But what about Jeremiah 29:11? 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you,
not harm you, plans to give you a hope and future."

It's the classic verse Youth Pastors and Lead Pastors alike use to whip their crowds into a frenzy of amens.  But do you know what that verse tells me?  It tells me God loves you and wants you to have a prosperous future. Does it really say anything about a specific plan for my life or yours? No.  On the other hand, the entire New Testament has plenty to say about God's plan.  There is an entire world among us who is separated from God and can only be reunited through a relationship with Jesus.  The real question we ought to be asking is, "How has God wired me so that I can make a difference in these people's lives?"  You see the difference?  God has a plan for you.  Selfish.  God has a plan for the world and you have been given gifts to be a part of His plan.  Selfless.  

Obviously, I've just scratched the surface of a much deeper discussion, but I'd love to know what you think about this idea. Leave a comment below and we can talk about it.