What Is God's Plan For You?

What's Gods Plan For You?

Beliefnet readers' thoughtful reflections on God's purpose in their lives.

What's God's purpose for my life? It's a question most of us have wrestled with at some time or another.- usually when we are facing a major transition in our lives.

In the Fox Faith DVD release "Moondance Alexander", misfit teen Moondance begins to find purpose in her life when she befriends a horse named Checkers and his rough-around-the-edges owner, Dante. As Moondance begins to work with Checkers daily, Moondance begins to wonder if she and the Pinto have what it takes to actually compete in a prestigious equestrian event and win against all odds.

Beliefnet asked our readers to describe a time when they tried to discern God's plan for their lives. Some readers believe God has shown them very clearly the direction for their lives, while others believe God doesn't always speak directly or control the paths our lives take.

Charting a New Direction

When I was in seminary I had a professor propose that among God's traits is omni-competence, that is the ability to deal with what is happening in spite of plans. I prefer that over knowing there is some pre-destined course (this may be why I also don't use a gps thing). I believe thoroughly that God trusts us to set out on our own and is with us as we make bad and good choices. Conversion happens when our path and God's converge, and we head off in a new, untried direction.

The greatest quest is one where you set out not knowing for what you look, where you will go to find it, or who might help or hinder you along the way. Open mind, open heart, open possibiities is the way to go.

--jestrfyl

Answering A (Complicated) Call

I am approaching one year since I officially made my United Methodist Conference aware that I am wanting to travel down the road of discernment and candidacy toward becoming an ordained pastor.

A year ago, it was very easy to put this at the top of my list and go wherever God leads me. However, almost 7 months ago God sent a beautiful woman into my life who I had know in high school. She and I have been dating since then and I have come to love her and her three children.

There are so many complications: attending seminary while raising a family and fostering a new marriage, the itinerant nature of how Methodist pastors are placed in churches, the financial implications of attending seminary, and the list goes on.

I am very torn right now. I feel called to the ministry and to marriage and family life. I know that thousands of people have done this before me; but I haven't done it myself.

--CortezAero