Scripture of the Day: Jeremiah 29:11
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.
This week I celebrated a big birthday. I turned 30. I remember when that seemed old! Now it just seems like a big deal because when I write my age it will begin with a 3 instead of a 2! When I turned 20, I was just waiting to turn 21 and for my life to really begin...and now, I find myself not really waiting for anything. I am not sure if that is good or bad :)
I have spent some time reflecting this week and feel extremely blessed. As far back as I can remember, I had somewhat of a life plan. It didn't include much, I just wanted to be married and have at least one child by the time I was 30. Both of those things have happened, even though for a long time I had my doubts about either one! More than anything, I wanted and prayed for a husband...and then I wanted and prayed for a child that we didn't really think my body was capable of carrying. But miracle of miracles - I did (praise God!)
I am not a big picture person. I like to take things day to day. And it is during those day to day happenings that I feel like my plan for my life and God's will for my life are not necessarily on the same page. But my ah-hah moment this week came because when I look at the big picture that is my life, we line up :). What I had planned for my life up to this point, apparently, lined up with what God had in store for me too.
But now for this next decade, or phase of my life...I'm not sure what it has in store for me. I have been trying to think of big things that I want to happen and I come up with a blank. I think it's because God is wanting me to trust Him to know the plans that He has for me...instead of coming up with my own. I know that he does have plans to prosper me (and that may not line up with what our current culture defines as "prospering" but that is fine by me). I know that in whatever way my life goes, I have hope in the Lord and a future by His side.
I hope that when I turn 40, I look back at my 30's and marvel at what God did with those ten years. The difference between now and when I turned 20 is that I am turning these years (and hopefully the rest of my life) over to Him. Instead of having my own planned agenda, I am going to try to find his! Let's see where this takes us :) I hope you join me on the ride!
Reader, remember that sometimes God defines things differently than you do. Prosper doesn't always mean happiness and success, but I think it always means spiritual growth (thus why there is no harm attached). Hope is never ending when it is the Lord and your future with Him is eternal!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father God, thank you for helping your children to grow and prosper down their path's in life. Please help us live our life according to your plan for us, instead of our own. But an extra thank you when the two of those things line up! We are all so thankful for the answered prayers of spouses, children, careers, health, and the list could go on and on. Please help us also be thankful for the unanswered prayers because those are in your plan for us too - it just takes us a little more to see the prospering in those times. Give us enough hope to always see that future with You at the end of our tunnel. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
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.
This week I celebrated a big birthday. I turned 30. I remember when that seemed old! Now it just seems like a big deal because when I write my age it will begin with a 3 instead of a 2! When I turned 20, I was just waiting to turn 21 and for my life to really begin...and now, I find myself not really waiting for anything. I am not sure if that is good or bad :)
I have spent some time reflecting this week and feel extremely blessed. As far back as I can remember, I had somewhat of a life plan. It didn't include much, I just wanted to be married and have at least one child by the time I was 30. Both of those things have happened, even though for a long time I had my doubts about either one! More than anything, I wanted and prayed for a husband...and then I wanted and prayed for a child that we didn't really think my body was capable of carrying. But miracle of miracles - I did (praise God!)
I am not a big picture person. I like to take things day to day. And it is during those day to day happenings that I feel like my plan for my life and God's will for my life are not necessarily on the same page. But my ah-hah moment this week came because when I look at the big picture that is my life, we line up :). What I had planned for my life up to this point, apparently, lined up with what God had in store for me too.
But now for this next decade, or phase of my life...I'm not sure what it has in store for me. I have been trying to think of big things that I want to happen and I come up with a blank. I think it's because God is wanting me to trust Him to know the plans that He has for me...instead of coming up with my own. I know that he does have plans to prosper me (and that may not line up with what our current culture defines as "prospering" but that is fine by me). I know that in whatever way my life goes, I have hope in the Lord and a future by His side.
I hope that when I turn 40, I look back at my 30's and marvel at what God did with those ten years. The difference between now and when I turned 20 is that I am turning these years (and hopefully the rest of my life) over to Him. Instead of having my own planned agenda, I am going to try to find his! Let's see where this takes us :) I hope you join me on the ride!
Reader, remember that sometimes God defines things differently than you do. Prosper doesn't always mean happiness and success, but I think it always means spiritual growth (thus why there is no harm attached). Hope is never ending when it is the Lord and your future with Him is eternal!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father God, thank you for helping your children to grow and prosper down their path's in life. Please help us live our life according to your plan for us, instead of our own. But an extra thank you when the two of those things line up! We are all so thankful for the answered prayers of spouses, children, careers, health, and the list could go on and on. Please help us also be thankful for the unanswered prayers because those are in your plan for us too - it just takes us a little more to see the prospering in those times. Give us enough hope to always see that future with You at the end of our tunnel. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
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