| Last week as the New Year was ushered in, I was reminded that God not only loves you and me, He’s concerned enough with us that He establishes plans for us. I decided to look a little deeper into what God says concerning this and found many verses which provide me with even more to consider. These verses either refer directly to the plan of God for you and me, or they indirectly infer of His plan for you and me. “And Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the Lord it will be provided’” (Genesis 22:14, NIV) The reality for us is that The Lord provides! The Lord Will Provide is our assurance that He has a plan for each of us. This plan which existed in eternity before creation is revealed in us by God. I believe God wants and desires that we know His plan for our life.
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3, NIV) “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will be established.” (Proverbs 19:21, NIV) “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5, NIV) Then, there are those instances when nothing you do seems right. It’s like you’re stuck in quicksand and you’re going nowhere. I’ve had those moments where it seems like I’m in one of those Snickers candy commercials. I keep waiting to hear the words…”Not going anywhere? Eat a Snickers!” “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;” (Isaiah 30:1, NIV) It’s in my best interest to follow the plan God has for me because it will produce the best possible outcome for my life. One thing I've noticed regarding a person’s life is when they have a real passion for what they're doing. I don’t mean something you would like to do, or something you wish you could do. No, when you have a passion for something, you have to do it. A painter paints, a singer sings, and a writer writes. There is no straddling, half way commitment. Like the company Nike says, “Do It”. You do what you’re passionate about, and you do it with passion. When you do what you’re passionate about, you’re committed. Does this mean that’s all you do? No, not all musicians play in a band, some teach, some sell instruments. Some even make instruments! But they are still passionate in what they do. They have an inner joy which really can’t be quantified. They also have an inner peace within that keeps them balanced. The bible uses to the word "passion once (Acts 1:3), when it refers to the suffering of Jesus. But I believe this gives a glimpse of the mind of Christ in the garden; His attitude was one of obedience. Christ chose to please God through His obedience of suffering and dying for the sins of the world. This is what I believe Paul describes should be our attitude and pattern for living when he wrote: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5, NIV) The person who has no passion for what they’re doing struggles to find some happiness (not inner joy) and quiet (not inner peace). This person often encounters frustration. They are in conflict with not only their own life, in some instances with others, and many instances, with God. Their mind is focused on self. Pleasing myself only creates more problems for me. Pleasing God opens up a world of opportunity for me. Knowing that God has a plan for your life indicates a need to trust Him with the things you do not know or understand. You realize that God will reveal His purpose for you through the unfolding of time. “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, NIV) Never doubt your significance or your place in this world. You have a purpose because God has a plan for you! MTJ |
| Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte). |  |
