The Best Laid Plans…

I think it can be safely said that thus far, 2020 has not gone as planned. 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11

You may be familiar with this verse and many of us, myself included, cling to this verse with a hope that God’s plans will be simple, straight forward, and bless us. Essentially we hope that that God’s plans and our plans are one in the same.  We think we know what’s best for us, which in many cases is financial security, a happy family, lack of conflict…comfort. 

Comfort.  As I evaluate my life and my tendencies I gravitate towards it; it’s easy, familiar, and secure.  When I re-read Jeremiah through the lens of my sinful heart, that is when God’s plan for my life equals my plan for comfort.

When we truly pursue the heart of God, His plans don’t revolve around our comfort, they revolve around God teaching us, growing us, and refining us to bring Him glory.  When we look back at the biggest defining moments in our lives, I doubt the way we would describe them is comfortable.  God refines us in the trials and fire. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

The Bible is chock full of examples of people who encountered God much differently than they probably would have planned. Abraham probably didn’t expect to only see one descendant while on Earth. Moses probably didn’t expect to wander in the desert for 40 years and never experience the Promised Land. Daniel probably didn’t plan to be thrown in the lions den for being faithful. Paul probably didn’t envision being persecuted, ship-wrecked, and imprisoned.

I just wanted to encourage y’all (and mostly myself) that even when God’s plan doesn’t line up with ours, to be faithful and thankful. Faithful and thankful that we have a God who knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what we need, a heart change instead of comfort or predictability.  So whether you are dealing with a lost job, lost loved one, or lost identity; look to the Lord who will satisfy all needs, wants, and desires.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29-12-13.

Revel in the fact that the God who created everything desires to have an intimate relationship with us. That he loves us enough to pursue and carry us through the trials that are promised, and that he paid the penalty for our sins.  Take comfort in the plans God has you.  They wont be easy or comfortable, and we may not even get to see the fruits of what God has called us to on this Earth, but we can rest assured knowing that God’s plans are the perfect ones.

all scripture from: The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

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