Trusting God’s Plan for You

 “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.” - Jeremiah 29:11

“I really don’t know anymore.” 

“I’m so confused.”

“Why do these things happen?”

At some point in life, it can get really confusing. Especially in times of crisis — a family in conflict, a loved one falling sick, saying goodbye to someone who died, personal problems that can’t seem to go away or be solved easily. 

Add to that the world in chaos. Endless wars, the pandemic, differing beliefs, political turmoil, a deteriorating environment, the world seemingly falling to pieces with every event that comes out of the news.

Take heart, be courageous. When we seem lost in life’s  voyage, seemingly adrift and helpless in the middle of a dark ocean, often buffeted by storms, unable to see the shore or an end to the confusion and suffering, there is only one thing left to do. 

Surrender it all to God. 

He is the most reliable compass. His teachings are the most effective way to navigate in the darkness. Trust in Him. Trust in His promise. Isn’t His plan for us to prosper us? Didn’t He say He wanted to give us hope and a future? 

Even if you couldn’t comprehend HOW God plans to do this, still continue to hold on to Him. 

Must you really comprehend? Do you really need to have an explanation? And would you really understand Him even if things were explainable to you? Do not question the how, why, even when. The important thing is He CAN. And He WILL. 

Well, now, how do we even know He WILL? You may ask. Look back then, to the many times in your life when a gracious thing has been done to you, a small seemingly random good news came upon you, a small windfall of a bonus, a brief respite on something, a chance but kind word from a stranger.  Believe that this is God’s grace in its many forms and manifestations.

Life may be confusing, but at some points of it, life has been good to each and everyone of us.  That’s God’s track record of helping us, of Him keeping His promise, showing His Love.

So when things seem dark and all seem lost, hold on to Him and His promise. The thought of this alone will comfort you, the waiting will be hopeful and bearable, the journey less arduous, and when finally His answer comes, the result will be glorious.

May His Grace fall on you and tide you over. 

A Poem When All the World Seems Dark

You wake up with a hopeful heart, thankful for a new day that dawned. 

You may or may not feel the aches on your joints or the pain in your bones.

You may bounce out of bed or shuffle slowly out of it.

The weight of your matter puts a dot of gray on your otherwise sunrise-full morning.

You may or may not be a social media denizen.

But there are relatives to touch base with, friends' lives to check on.

Then the virtual world intrudes on your solitude.

And a clump of ugly and angry smear your lanscape.

You may attend to the matters of living no matter your circumstances.

For you are still living, for you are still breathing, right?

Yet you hold it in and try to stop the question

Is this really the way the only way to live?

You may retain your peace, although it may seem rare these days.

And after lunch and by the afternoon that peace may well have been destroyed.

By news, goings-on and the world's inevitable turning.

But sorrowfully turning, turning it seems to darkness.

But here is a secret -- the day is not lost.

Here is another -- the world is not dark.

It is only your mind and your matter that are lost and dark.

For there is One who never fails to win the day and light up the world.

Do you know Him?  He is the king of all creation, your God.

Does it make sense now?  Your mind and your matter is safe in His hands. 

Do you see it?  The day may seem lost, but it is still His day that He created.

Do you realize now?  The world may seem dark as it turns, but it is still turning by His will.

So tomorrow, wake up with a hopeful heart, thankful for a new day that dawns. 

Your God reigns over everything.

-o-

A Birthday Prayer

Dear God,

Turning another year older is a precious blessing.  I am most thankful to you for adding one more year to my life.  When I look back to the years in my life, I could clearly see your hand behind all of my life's writing.  You are indeed the author of it. 

There were many good days in it, and there were also many that were sad.  People came and went.  Many people stayed.  Hopes were fulfilled and dashed.  Achievements were unlocked, be they big or small.  Buckets of tears were shed but there were also tons of laughter.  In all those threads of my life, you were behind them all, my beloved God.

Then there were those serendipitous moments when things happened by chance.  Random events that accrued to my advantage.  They clearly were not because I did it by myself or because of who I am or because of what I did.  It was all you, my God.

If I sum up all those years, there were more color and adventure and excitement in that total than there were pain or sadness or despair.  Mostly there was joy.  And the feeling that I was always loved.  In my baddest, saddest, meanest, ugliest, I was always loved.  By You.

I pray that you grant me more years of this joyous adventure, my God.  Please always be by my side, hold my hand, and protect me as I venture forth.

Love,

Your child