08/04/2026
We get married, and if we are so blessed we have children. From the moment we decide to bring each of these new lives into the world we begin to make plans for them; we want the best for them. It is the same with God, and He has a plan for each of our lives; a plan made long before we were born... or even conceived. These plans, both ours and God’s, can only be accomplished if the child gives all their effort as they strive to know and do their parent’s will. Are you a fully engaged participant in God’s plan for you?
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV
Before my wife and I were even engaged to be married we had conversations regarding family. We met in college, and I remember how we would sit for hours in the student union sipping soft drinks, eating some hot fries, and talking about not only our plans for ourselves, but our expectations of marriage, family, being partners in life, and children. We shared our plans and expectations with one another.
Ann was one of five children, and so was I, so quite naturally it was important for each of us to have several children as a part of marriage. As our talks continued for weeks and months on end, we became acquainted with what life would be like if we decided to marry. Agreeing on children was just a part of the plan we were making for our future... but a very important one. If a marriage is to last a lifetime it is necessary to have such conversations, and unfortunately there are too few of them going on before marriage in society today... modern marriages are often a continuation of a fun time while dating, and they never focus on a plan for a life together; so when the fun ends, so does the marriage, and if there are children... then their lives are negatively impacted. What few plans were initially made for these kids are dashed, and new ones must be formed as a new life is pieced and pulled together.
God has a plan for us as His children, and it is well thought out, and will not change, or be forced to a premature end... it is perfect in every way. God’s plan is founded on love, and will provide for not only lifelong nurturing, provision, guidance, and development, but for a continuation with Him that lasts throughout eternity. God’s plan is laid long before our conception; listen to what God says about Jeremiah and know that His plan for you was likewise formed...
“"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."”
Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
God plans for us much like we should plan for our children. There is little in our righteous lives that is not a reflection of God, and planning for the welfare of our children is one of them. We begin this process before they are conceived, and then continue on as we prepare for their arrival, their care, spirituality, education, and many other life details, but as we do this there is one thing that we have a tough time with; it is a wildcard in the process... their inbred nature of individualism. God understands this, and it is a part of His plan, but it is so hard for us to grasp...
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8 ESV
God gives us leeway to become individuals, and although there are boundaries that we call commandments and laws, there is much freedom. This is the hardest part of the plan we develop for our own children, and yet it is there perfectly in God’s plan for us and has been from the foundation of the world. Why else would He tell us to seek out our salvation? We are to make it an intricate part of who we are, and to make who we are a perfect part of it.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
So here is the secret ingredient of God’s plan for us... it requires us to be active and willing participants in it. We don’t just blindly do the things God wills us to do; we must seek them out, learn them, and then do them willingly with all our heart. Amazingly His plan accounts for those times when we will walk away and leave home, but it also accounts for our homecoming. Adam and Eve walked away, but Jesus prepared for our homecoming. The parable of the Prodigal Son tells us that God’s eyes are always watching for our return along the road that leads home.
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20 ESV
Our children... they will not always conform to the plans we have made for them, but if we allow for their return, then we will have learned for ourselves another thing that God teaches us regarding Himself, and we will see how the plan He has for our lives with Him will be passed on to our children. The child’s part in this is to seek us, and that cannot be forced. The prodigal son had to decide on his own to come home... and we have many such decisions to make as well.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Do these scriptural words sound familiar? These verses tell us to expect our children to be individuals as we plan out our desires for them. We are not God, and our plans for our children, and our own lives, are not perfect like His are, so we must continue to seek Him, until our plan matches His, and our will conforms to His.
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Colossians 3:20-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the plan you have for my life, and those things that are your will for me within it. Help me Holy Father as I seek you, and walk step by step along the way of righteousness. Keep my eyes open, and my heart, mind, and soul, focused on you as you reveal your perfect plan for me... piece by precious piece. I know Father that I will be surprised, and thrilled, as I see how my freedoms and individualism are accounted for by you. Merciful Father, teach me to plan for my life, and the lives of my children. Instruct me in how to give them free rein in their lives as they become adults, but to have taught them of your boundaries as children. When they wander Father, and I know they will at some point, keep my eyes trained on the road that leads them home. Help me to remain in prayer for them as they seek you, and your will for them Lord. I pray that you will give me enough days in this world that I might witness the dust rising from their feet as they walk the road towards you, and find that they too are walking within the unique plan you have for them. You are a Gracious God, full of mercy and grace; help us Father as we wander, and make all our roads lead home to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and the great architect of my life, and eternity. May I love and glorify you forever!
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 ESV
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Rich Forbes