“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Not the plans we have for ourselves.
Not the hope we create for ourselves.
This verse is very difficult for a control junky - someone who likes to have the details of life all planned out. I find comfort in knowing my life has a plan and purpose. A purpose that is deep, beautiful, and can help bring heaven to earth. But my brain immediately searches for details - what does that look like right now, tomorrow, the future? Then I worry I should be doing more. But worrying is pointless. God has it all figured out; planned out. Everything I do has the potential to impact the world around me. The catch? I have to chose to trust even when I'd rather be worrying. Isn't that absurd? Sometimes I find it easier to make a list of all the options and possible outcomes of a situation rather than trust God has the best ending for me... one that I may not even think up on my own.
Evidence: Six years ago, did I think I'd marry someone like MK (I mean that in a very kind and endearing way)? No. Did I think I'd get engaged and marry someone under a year of dating? Heck no. Did I think I would end up in NH? Definitely not. Did I ever think I would have a baby at 24? No stinkin' way. You get the idea. Basically my life at present is something I never imagined possible. But I could not have created anything more blessed myself. I never knew I could love one man and one little girl SO much. I never imagined having friends who truly ARE family. I never knew I could actually have a job that I enjoy - where my organizational abilities, attention to detail, and intelligence are highly valued and appreciated. When I am striving to love my husband, my daughter, the people around me... even myself (in an unselfish way), regardless of location or details... I am bringing God here. One small act of faith at a time, I am bringing heaven here.
Shalom.
Not the hope we create for ourselves.
This verse is very difficult for a control junky - someone who likes to have the details of life all planned out. I find comfort in knowing my life has a plan and purpose. A purpose that is deep, beautiful, and can help bring heaven to earth. But my brain immediately searches for details - what does that look like right now, tomorrow, the future? Then I worry I should be doing more. But worrying is pointless. God has it all figured out; planned out. Everything I do has the potential to impact the world around me. The catch? I have to chose to trust even when I'd rather be worrying. Isn't that absurd? Sometimes I find it easier to make a list of all the options and possible outcomes of a situation rather than trust God has the best ending for me... one that I may not even think up on my own.
Evidence: Six years ago, did I think I'd marry someone like MK (I mean that in a very kind and endearing way)? No. Did I think I'd get engaged and marry someone under a year of dating? Heck no. Did I think I would end up in NH? Definitely not. Did I ever think I would have a baby at 24? No stinkin' way. You get the idea. Basically my life at present is something I never imagined possible. But I could not have created anything more blessed myself. I never knew I could love one man and one little girl SO much. I never imagined having friends who truly ARE family. I never knew I could actually have a job that I enjoy - where my organizational abilities, attention to detail, and intelligence are highly valued and appreciated. When I am striving to love my husband, my daughter, the people around me... even myself (in an unselfish way), regardless of location or details... I am bringing God here. One small act of faith at a time, I am bringing heaven here.
Shalom.
