The Five Main Processes for Knowing and Living God’s Plans for Your Life
The Five Main Processes for Knowing and Living God’s Plans for Your Life
One of the questions I’ve asked myself over the years is, “What is my part in living out God’s plans and purposes for my life?”
I know God is always faithful to do His part, but it’s clear that what we do really matters as well. God has great plans for all of us, but not everyone lives them out because they didn’t do their part.
Over the years, I’ve studied, prayed, experimented, and interacted with many dedicated people to figure out how to put the many steps of living out God’s purposes into a few, doable, memorable ideas.
At some point, I realized that the best information is only useful if we understand it and can remember it. After 40 years of following Jesus, pastoring, and studying, here are the five most important processes for living out God’s plans for your life.
1. Abiding in Jesus – Living From, For, and With Jesus
This is always my #1 because Jesus Himself said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him bears much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The principle is clear: If we want to live fruitful lives, from God’s perspective, it can only happen when we stay connected to Jesus—the only true vine.
Jesus is the source of all divine life, and when we remain connected to Him, His life flows into us, allowing us to bear fruit in every area He calls us to engage with.
Abiding in Jesus is possible for everyone and is God’s design for all people. The more we learn to do this, the more we will bear godly fruit.
2. How to Grow and Change
God’s plan for us is to be transformed into the image of Jesus—in character, virtues, and impact (Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:15).
There’s no higher level of life than being formed in Christlikeness. But growth and transformation are also necessary to keep fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives.
As executive coach Marshall Goldsmith says in his book, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, to keep progressing in our vocations, we need to develop new skills at each new level.
The same applies to living out God’s purpose. To progress, we must embrace growth and transformation. Thankfully, the Bible and modern science teach us how to achieve lasting change.
Researchers have even shown that we can keep growing and changing as long as we live, with the right practices. “Neuroplasticity” is encouraging evidence that old habits can change!
3. How to Receive God’s Guidance
Jesus, in living out God’s plan for His life, said, “I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me” (John 8:28).
Jesus did not just do whatever He wanted; He submitted Himself to God’s direction.
Though we don’t have the same level of direct communication as Jesus, we can still learn to receive God’s guidance.
The more we absorb God’s Word, the more we will recognize God’s direction in areas not explicitly covered in Scripture.
When the Bible is clear on an issue, we don’t need further confirmation. But for decisions like “Should I take this job?” or “Should I marry this person?”, the more we abide in Jesus, the clearer His guidance becomes.
4. How to Know Your Specific Purposes
Rick Warren’s teaching on life’s purposes is invaluable. He emphasizes five main purposes in life, and understanding these gives us a biblical framework to live by.
People often think of purpose in terms of work or ministry, but there are other areas that also contribute to a complete life—one that grows in all aspects in Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
That said, getting clear on the specific work God has called you to do ignites a new level of energy, passion, and drive. There are simple steps you can take to discover why you are here.
5. How to Accomplish God’s Purposes
Jesus said in John 17:4, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”
One of the best ways to glorify God with our lives is to follow Jesus’ example by accomplishing the work God has given us.
As Ephesians 2:10 says, God has prepared good works for us to do. By learning to abide in Jesus, follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and manage our time, talents, and treasures, we can bring God’s plans into reality.
The work God calls us to will also come with a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment, as He intentionally gives us gifts and passions that align with His mission (Psalm 37:4).
Quick Review
The five essential processes for living out God’s plans and purposes are:
How to Abide in Jesus
How to Grow and Change
How to Receive God’s Guidance
How to Know Your God-Given Purposes
How to Accomplish Our God-Given Purposes
These are processes we can all learn and implement. As we grow in them, we will increasingly live life at the highest possible level and make the greatest impact in the world.
My goal is to help busy believers experience God more deeply, grow consistently—both spiritually and personally—and confidently live out their unique purpose.
