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."
It happens to the best of us, doesn't it? We are in the midst of what we perceive to be the right direction, the correct route, when, suddenly, we are detoured from the well-worn path. Left to machete our way through the intimidatingly overgrown road less traveled.
Not pleasant. Not fun. But, as believers, we know we don't have to demolish that imposing jungle on our own.
We have His help.
It's rare, but it happens. I will write a blog post, smugly thinking I'm ahead of the game. Then, obstacles loom, in this case a missed photo opportunity, which derail my goal. Negate my finished product. There is nothing left for it but to pick myself up, brush myself off, and trust that God is pointing me in another direction.
The one He wants for me.
I have His help.
If I've learned anything over these past few years, it's been to realize He has hopes and plans for my future. I no longer get frustrated when those last 500 words I wrote are no longer viable. When a post I planned to publish falls flat. In the long run, in the eyes of my Lord who has "plans to prosper" me, I find the courage and determination, as the popular saying goes, to "keep calm and carry on."
I have His help . . .
His help is all that matters.
His help is all that is real and true and full of grace.
His help . . .
His plans . . .
My future . . .
Thank You, my Lord and my God!
~
When you feel God moving you in a different direction, do you keep calm and carry on, trusting in Him?
Will you pray with me?
Dear Father, we make the mistake of doing and creating before we've stopped to ask for Your presence and Your guidance. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to follow the path You are more than willing to carve out for Your name's sake. Let our journeys be a testament to Your great love for us. Amen.
Yes, His help is all that matters.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful post, dear Martha!
-Portia
You are so welcome, Portia! Thanks so much for coming by today!
DeleteLove and blessings!
With both of my parent's deaths I realized how quickly life could change and how much God is in charge of everything. It was at that point, and after a back injury that He saw fit to miraculously cure without surgery, that I realized that my life was in good hands. I quit planning my life and starting trusting Him to lead the way preferring to live each day one at a time. Only He knows our fate, so why fight it. It is better to trust Him. It is when we try to go our own way that things invariably don't work out. Loved this post. It was beautiful and as inspirational as always! ♥
ReplyDeleteWow, Kathy, so much to have gone through . . . but, to come to the realization that God intervenes when we're busy making other plans is truly a revelation. So glad you have let go and let Him, my friend!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Suffice to say ~ that you're heading on the right direction with God in it. That's one of the very first things I learned from Franciscan spirituality ~ "itineranza." The Lord wishes that we 'journey' ~ always dynamic ~ because the Spirit blows where it wills. And when we allow God to carry us where He wishes, then will see the JOY of truly living... not without pain and sufferings though...
ReplyDeleteI visited you knowing that the Lord is planning things ahead of you, ahahaha... I read your status and I'm looking forward to your next series of novels...
"Trust" ~ I pray ~ as our reflections flow through God's will this week... I truly pray with you that we may allow God to work fulltime in us... and trust that His plans are always for the best because He wishes us to grow in love for Him and be a testimony of this to other people.
I love you ~ continue your journey :)
*we'll see* ~ I saw the grammar police alert ahahaha
DeleteThanks so much, Melissa, for your lovely comment here and for sharing your insight gleaned from Franciscan spirituality - I never knew that before, about the journey being dynamic, but I've always sensed it was true. I so appreciate you nailing this down for me! :)
DeleteMay we ever trust in the plans He has for us.
Love you much, too, dear one!
Martha, your blog brings much joy and a lot of inspiration to many - His plans for you are indeed good! ♥
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet, Corinne! Thanks so much for visiting. It's always a joy to see you here!
DeleteLove and blessings!