Wow, God! (An Advent Journey)Shembull

WOW, GOD. YOU ONLY HAVE GOOD PLANS FOR MY LIFE.

Experience

“God loves you and wants what’s best for you. He wants to give you every good thing…” but it sometimes doesn’t seem to happen. I’ve wanted things, things that were good, no question. You know how people make Christmas lists of things? Well I’ve had life lists of things. Good things I wanted. I prepared and tried to make it work out, but nope. Didn’t happen. It’s disappointing. “Why?” is what my head screams. “Why does it feel like I’m being kept from this great opportunity?” And then it turns out, “no” was better for me. I just couldn’t see it. 

Sometimes, it was just delayed and came later. Sometimes it never happened. It’s been as significant as missing a big promotion at work, only to get a new job that I love more. It’s also been as intentional as frantically running late… and missing a fatal car accident. The point is, I might not understand the why behind every situation, but God knows. He knows where I need to be, and what I need to stay away from. He is watching over my life. When I let God make the plans, things work out to be best for me. It’s not my job to tell God where to lead me. It’s my job to trust where He has placed me.

Wow, God. You have only good plans for my life.

Respond

Have you had a time or two like this? A time that felt like you just weren’t able to seize a great opportunity? It feels like you get so close, then things get in the way and plans fall through. God sees so much more than you can. “‘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) Trust that He only has good planned for you, even if you can’t see it now.

Pray

God, give me peace to trust Your goodness and direction in my life. Amen.