His Plan Is Greater

By Janine Carrero  

Do you ever feel like your life is under construction? Life and all its challenges can often be equated to an ongoing home renovation project. For some, the repairs are centered around fractured relationships within the walls of a dwelling. For others, it can be anything from a broken heart or a mind weakened by the distractions of this world…to a complete soul repair. No matter the work needing to be done, a successful restoration of our mind, body, and spirit requires God. Doing the work ourselves without His help is as good as using duct tape to fix what is broken. This will leave us gasping for air as things continue to fall apart, covering us in dust and debris. 

For years, I relied solely on my hard hat and duct tape. The percentage of problems I discussed and resolved with God was so low. This left the perception of myself and my take on the issues plaguing my life in constant repair. The continuous measurements against the construction of others cost me a lot and left me in emotional debt. 

“For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.” Hebrews 3:4 – The Message

If you ever feel like you are under construction, the good news is you have access to a master builder, God! He made you in His image. He knows where you have been. He knows where you are going. He knows the desires of your heart. He knows how to break through. He sees you. He knows exactly who you are. You are worthy. You are enough. You are chosen, and He has a perfect plan for your life!

What is the plan you have for your life? 
God has given you an exquisitely unique and inspired mind to do the things He wills for you. Therefore, as His chosen one, you should confidently dream about your incredible plans for your today and all your tomorrows. Of course, as believers who share our identity in Christ with the world, it is of the utmost importance that our plans be grounded in the truth and guidelines of His word. 

 “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 – NLT

His plan is unlike any blueprint for your life that you could ever design yourself or in collaboration with anyone other than God. His plan is also far more valuable than any model of this world being advertised. Plus, there is no need to shop for builder discounts on tools. His love is so great He equips you with the only tools needed to live out His plan for your life; His word and the open invitation He extends daily to spend time conversing with Him. His love is fully inclusive, so rather than charging upgrade fees, He sent the perfect example of how to live life on this earth, His Son Jesus, to pay the price in full for us. His love does not end at the cross. Though we fall short of this kind of perfection, God has a calling on our lives, too, that He gifts us.

Have you accepted that you have a calling?

I recently took part in a 21-day prayer and fast to reset along with my church family. Going in, I knew the opportunities being missed to connect more with my Creator…or so I thought! God will reveal much to you when you pray big and then stop to listen. He once again had my full attention, and I heard very clearly just how much I had been tuning out my Lord and Savior. I had been praying daily. But the lack of consistent boldness in my prayers along with the distractions that I allowed to creep into my head, kept me from not only connecting more with God but from hearing what He has to say about my unique calling and how I am going about it.

Are you working on yourself for His glory?

 If so, there is no need to sport a “Work in Progress” sign since all of God’s children are working towards who they were created to be. In addition to you and me, this includes our leaders, our parents, and those we look up to. 

Another perspective is that we are not under construction but instead under the grace of God. And as such, every day, in every circumstance, it is through grace that God works an effective change in our lives. 

How has God been changing your life?

For what seems like every day that I have drawn breath, I have been in a love-hate relationship with myself. No one could judge me more than I did. And to say I was slow to forgive myself for the choices I made is an absolute understatement. With that said, self-care was non-existent. At one point, I was so lost and thought I would never find my way, but God’s grace led me to a life-changing turn. I now show up for myself, and with a spirit of truth to guide me, I have kicked habits that do not serve me. This has led to better mental and physical health, which has helped me prioritize God’s plan and call on my life. Of course, I still have things I need to work on, but it is with an abundance of worship and praise to God that I am now able to embrace every part of my story and am finding my voice to use it for His glory. 

“Each time He said, “My grace is all you need, My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9– NLT

Have you agreed with, or been resistant to, the things God has been sharing with you?

There are many things that can potentially keep us up at night. But feelings of anxiety or uncertainty around our gifts from God or His plan for our lives cannot be among them. Instead, the new norm needs to be up at night with excitement around the start of a new day to step into our purpose and to call with eager obedience to confidently serve God’s people. 

“God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11 – NLT

We must trust God as lives depend on it because they do. As chosen women of God, we cannot afford to keep waiting until we deem ourselves ready to answer His call. The time is now. His plan is greater. 

Are you ready to surrender your plan for His?