God’s Master Plan

At some point in our lives, we seek answers to the grander questions in life, such as why am I here? What does God want me to do with my life? As a person who takes comfort in knowing “the plan” ahead of time, I must admit that I’m not always clear on what God’s plan is for me.

As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, I became more curious about God’s plan for my life. The answers came day by day. I felt in my heart that God wanted me to do the work at hand—to do what was within my reach to do. 

During this past year, I was invited to join a Faculty Commons book discussion of “Sent” by Heather & Ashley Holleman. The answers became clearer as I read the book “Sent.” The Hollemans describe four ways we are sent to reach others for Christ—a hardworking farmer, a patient fisherman, a confident ambassador, and an authoritative royal priest. 

They explained that the farmer sows, plows, plants, and harvests; the fisherman baits, casts, and catches; the ambassador represents, delivers messages, and informs; and the royal priest blesses and teaches God’s word.  

In my search for God’s plan for me, I realized from our discussions that the Lord sends us to show up authentically in everyday life. Sometimes we are sent as farmers, other times as fishermen, ambassadors, or royal priests. In each of these ways, God makes His appeal to others through us (2 Corinthians 5:20)—an amazing idea.

After reading “Sent,” I wake up each day aware of a new sense of purpose. I embrace the notion of being sent by God and look for opportunities and nudges from the Holy Spirit to be used by Him. Sometimes this happens in very ordinary ways in the path of my work and day-to-day responsibilities. Other times, I am nudged in extraordinary ways to connect with others. 

Recently, I glanced over my calendar for the past year. I was struck by how many people I met with during the course of my work and personal contacts. I realized that God was at work, sending me into their lives and sending them into mine to do good work together for our students and to encourage one another. I also realized that God is in both the ordinary and the extraordinary work we do for our universities. 

I have learned that although I may not have the Master Plan, it does not mean that God does not have a plan for me. 

The Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians reminds us: “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).”

I can hardly wait to see what God has planned next!