A personalized "plan" for everyone?

[MatthewOlson]

The following is speculative. To my knowledge, it is not heresy, but also to my knowledge, it has never been endorsed by the Church, either. If it is demonstrated to me that it is heresy, I will immediately renounce it.

I don’t like the idea that God has a personalized “plan” for everyone. I think He only has a general plan that “draws straight with our crooked lines,” so to speak.
The idea seems to contradict free will, because God’s plans obviously can not be defeated, due to His omnipotence and omniscience.
God has foreknowledge of events, of course, but that doesn’t mean He sets all events in motion.
As for Jeremiah 29:11, the verse most commonly used to defend the idea of a personalized “plan” for everyone, if you look at it in context, it is obvious that it was God’s message to a certain group of people (prophets and Jews that were displaced), not to everyone.
The only problem with my opposition seems to be the choosing of prophets and people that serve a special purpose. However, I think that could be reconciled if you think that they become special by putting themselves “in tune” with God’s Will, not because God necessarily singled them out.
(Example: the Virgin Mary’s “yes” to God in Luke 1:38, and the angel, Gabriel, telling her earlier in that chapter that she had “found favor with God,” not that God had started out by deciding to give her favor.)
Now, none of this takes away from the fact that God is a personal god. He answers prayers that conform to His Will.
Anyway, I just think that the whole idea of a personalized “plan” only gives people a false sense of security, and also tends to encourage the belief that God is somehow responsible for all of our misfortune.

What do you guys think?

 

[andy92]

God is eternal meaning HE dwells outside of time. HE sees all existence at the same-time, with all knowledge. He knows what will work and not, He knows our choices.

 

[LilyM]

The following is speculative. To my knowledge, it is not heresy, but also to my knowledge, it has never been endorsed by the Church, either. If it is demonstrated to me that it is heresy, I will immediately renounce it.

I don’t like the idea that God has a personalized “plan” for everyone. I think He only has a general plan that “draws straight with our crooked lines,” so to speak.
The idea seems to contradict free will, because God’s plans obviously can not be defeated, due to His omnipotence and omniscience.
God has foreknowledge of events, of course, but that doesn’t mean He sets all events in motion.
As for Jeremiah 29:11, the verse most commonly used to defend the idea of a personalized “plan” for everyone, if you look at it in context, it is obvious that it was God’s message to a certain group of people (prophets and Jews that were displaced), not to everyone.
The only problem with my opposition seems to be the choosing of prophets and people that serve a special purpose. However, I think that could be reconciled if you think that they become special by putting themselves “in tune” with God’s Will, not because God necessarily singled them out.
(Example: the Virgin Mary’s “yes” to God in Luke 1:38, and the angel, Gabriel, telling her earlier in that chapter that she had “found favor with God,” not that God had started out by deciding to give her favor.)
Now, none of this takes away from the fact that God is a personal god. He answers prayers that conform to His Will.
Anyway, I just think that the whole idea of a personalized “plan” only gives people a false sense of security, and also tends to encourage the belief that God is somehow responsible for all of our misfortune.

What do you guys think?

I think God’s plans can be defeated.

He did not plan for Adam and Eve to fall, in the sense of having a positive desire for the fall to happen, nor for any of us to sin, when though He foreknew that these things would happen. Even in a general sense, as scripture says, His only plans are for our welfare, which sounds like the opposite of planning for the fall or for sin.

 

[Zaiga]

My spiritual director used to say, Act of free will is when we choose to do what God wants us to do because that’s what we want to do. I do believe there’s a personalised plan, but its not something we can put our blames on and not something that would makes us feel imprisoned. Before we were born He made us, and had an idea of our mission in life, of what way we would be serving Him, I mean, He gave us talents, He provided certain circumstances… But I think He is kind of excited to see what are we doing, I imagine a father looking into His babys crib, to see what’s (s)he’s doing now, is she sleeping, is she playing? I think what ever good thing we do for Him he loves, and ultimately that was His plan

 

[anruari]

I would say that God ahd Plans for you. Not single, take it or leave it plan.

every day you are faced with many decisions. Some of these will bring you closer to God, others away.

God has work that needs doing. When you are in the right place he will use you if you say “Yes”

God calls us to different vocations, some married, some celibate, some active ministers others simple labourers. But wherever you are in your life, you have the choice to listen to and follow Gods call for you, or to turn away from that and follow the way of the World, or your own desires.

Was it Gods will for the many prodigal sons of christian history to spend years in Sin? Of course not. but once they chose to turn around and follow Him he was able to Use them and formulate a new plan around them… think for example of St. Augustine.

 

[polytropos]

I think saying God has a “plan” is a bit of a simplification and really has multiple meanings. Everyone has unique talents that situate them in His kingdom; one is intended to use his talents to glorify God. In another sense, God has a plan in that he can make good come out of evil. In terms of God’s will, God wills that we do good in any situation, but we have free will so we do not always conform to His plan.

So I don’t think His “plan” refers to a laundry list of actions that we are slated to do.

 

[LaMusicaSenior]

God knows that you were created and have the ability to grow to be the “Best Version of Yourself.” The end goal is holiness and ultimately, Heaven. Does He know the best way to get you there? Yep! (He does know everything, after all). But can you get there and be holy and not follow that direct path? Sure can.

For instance, if God knew that you could best grow to holiness with a religious vocation, and you chose the married life, it doesn’t mean you can’t serve God as a married person. But it will be different than the holiness you could have attained as a religious.

It all boils down to being in-tune with God’s will for our lives - it’s not like He is chucking us out into the world and saying “You have a vocation for something, good luck finding that one out!” He wants to tell us how to be holy and love Him - but we have to spend time with him, listen and learn what He so desires from us.

God bless!

Chloe M.