Life Support – What is God’s Plan for My Life?
- Don Vitalle
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 5
~ Jeremiah 29:11
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The Problem:
I arrived on the west side of Detroit in May 1946, bald and unable to speak a word of English. I was born there. (Please insert laughter here.)
But it seems like no matter where or when you start, this road trip we call life is littered with potholes. Our parents tried to give us the map. Mom would say, "Make good choices and always wear clean underwear!" And who could forget her timeless question: "If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?" Turns out, the answer was "Maybe!" because despite all that advice, we still took wrong turns that led us right to the edge of that bridge, seriously considering the view.
A little self-restraint might have helped along the way. And some of us clearly skimmed the chapter on "common sense.” Apparently, 'Smart Choices 101' was an elective we all decided to skip. Our so-called solutions to life's obstacles usually just made things worse. Can you recall entering the “How hard can it be?” phase of your life?
Remember the time you decided the fastest way to "dust" the bedroom was to use your dad's gas-powered leaf blower. For three glorious seconds, it worked, until every loose paper, sock, and Playboy magazine was launched into a chaotic vortex, creating clutter ten times worse than the original.
Or the time you were trying to "save gas" by putting the car in neutral and turning the engine off while coasting down a big hill, not realizing this also kills the power steering and power brakes. The moment of sheer panic when the wheel locks up is a vivid memory that will last well into your 70s.
And then there was the incident of buying a giant beanbag chair at a store and being absolutely convinced it would fit into the trunk of your Ford Pinto without taking it out of its enormous box. The ensuing battle in the parking lot involved shoving, kicking, punching, and ultimately ripping the box that unleashes a snowstorm of tiny, static-charged foam beads. So, what do you say to the folks laughing their butts off, watching from the curb? “Merry Christmas?” It was July!
(Disclaimer: Please note that none of the incidents described occurred to me personally. Consider this kind of like “asking for a friend.”)
Let’s face it. Rules and restrictions constantly confined us, and frankly, we were growing tired of them. Worn out. Ground down by hitting a wall at every turn. And your buddies? Forget it. They can't help. They're too busy staring into their own abyss, trying to figure out their own mess. Their advice was worth exactly what you paid for it.
Which brings us to some big questions: What is the point of all this? Why is "happily ever after" always one exit past where we are? Why should we just accept it? Why knuckle under? Why bother trying at all?
The Promise:
Have you ever found yourself looking at the world and just thinking, "I don't get it! What's God's plan for my life?" Well, He has an answer, and it comes with a promise.
And let's be clear, this isn't your buddy's "I'll totally help you move next weekend" kind of promise. Our Father's promises are supreme, unbreakable, and eternal—an oath from the Creator of... well, everything. His Word and His promises have a 100% success rate, which is a better track record than anything down here.
He's designed a custom plan for each of our lives. His campaign for us focuses on priceless things like hope and joy, rather than the luxury cars or fancy gadgets that humans tend to drool over. He's offering genuine, moth-proof, and non-corrosive treasures. In His plan, we experience a kind of peace that our brains can't quite comprehend. He knows all our quirks and shortcomings (yes, even that one), yet His plan comes with a rock-solid "do no harm" clause. It’s designed to help us see right past our obstacles and faithfully embrace what's next.
And that word, "faith," is the key to the whole operation. Metaphorically speaking, we’re all just passing through this world with reservations at a "celestial Airbnb." We show up, see the sights, pick up some souvenirs, and then, eventually, we leave all our stuff behind and go home—our real home, on that golden road next to all the other mansions.
Now, God's promises are based on an "if"—and it's a pretty important one. If we accept His Son, Jesus Christ, and follow His plan for our lives, He officially declares us His kids. He wants us to know we'll still face challenges and run into trouble, but with Jesus as our guide, we'll navigate those valleys, and He promises we’ll come out safely on the other side.
It’s a simple, straightforward plan, easy to follow. For more details, please refer to them in "The Finer Print" below.
~ Jeremiah 29:11
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
For an audio version and perhaps a deeper reflection on this topic, listen to my recent podcast episode:
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