A hope, future and context

Today: Jeremiah 26-29



Jeremiah 29:11 is one verse I've heard a lot while growing up in church and attending many Christian events: "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's a verse often quoted by youth pastors in messages about abstinence or graduation (it's a good go-to verse for both scenarios, I guess). :) When I read this verse today, I looked at it with fresh eyes--and the perspective of context.



Since we started reading the book of Jeremiah, it's been pretty clear that at this point in history, God was fed up with His people. Time and time again, they turned away from Him and rejected His instruction. He sent good people like Jeremiah to speak the truth and intervene--but they didn't listen.



The context of Jeremiah 29:11 is important because it's a total expression of who God is--while His people rejected Him, He was planning their hope and future. Yes, He was allowing them to go into exile as a consequence for their disobedience--but while they abandoned Him, He never abandoned them. He also knew that they would turn around one day. Take a look:

"...I have it all planned out—

plans to take care of you, not abandon you,

plans to give you the future you hope for.

"When you call on me,

when you come and pray to me,

I'll listen.

"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "

Yes, when you get serious about finding me

and want it more than anything else,

I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

God's Decree.

It's God's heart to create good plans for everyone--but He promises the blessing of His presence to those who seriously seek Him. God has a hope and a future planned for all of us--but when we put our hope in Him to lead our futures, we have the opportunity to walk in His promises.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 30-31

God, plans and steps

Today: Isaiah 13-17

I'm a planner. Perhaps it's fitting that as part of my day job, I am a project manager. When I plan a product launch or a crisis communication plan or anything...I know that unforeseen obstacles may come up and shift the course of the project. Sometimes I will pad extra time into schedules to account for such events. In some cases, projects are entirely derailed or cancelled--and for good reasons. Things do not always happen as I plan.

In my work, I know this is absolutely true. Yet in my heart and in my day-to-day life, it is hard to swallow. I don't know about you, but I've had a few breathtaking moments where my life has taken unexpected turns for the best. However, I've also had times of frustration where I've hit roadblocks and find myself praying, "Come on, God--I really don't want to be in this place. I was supposed to be doing ABC in my life by now and it just hasn't happened. What's up with that?!?"

In these freak-out moments, I try to remember some of the things I know for sure...like this verse from Proverbs 16:9:

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

Combine that an excerpt from today's passage:

God-of-the-Angel-Armies has planned it.

Who could ever cancel such plans?

His is the hand that's reached out.

Who could brush it aside?

It's comforting and reassuring for me to know that God has a plan at work for this planet...and a plan at work for every single person on it (including me!). I think God likes us to pray and plan and go after the dreams He's given to us. However, He's the orchestrator of every good thing that happens in our lives. Here are few ideas to consider:

• God brings people together.
  
  God created all the people in this world and has certain relationships in mind for us. I'm not just talking about your husband/wife...but friends, family, mentors and more. Although God brings people together, we have to put effort into building and maintaining healthy relationships.
  
• God brings provision into our lives.
  
  God is the source of all we need--ultimately, He provides our homes, food, jobs, cars, etc. He gave us talents and time, but we often have to take tangible steps to use them. God may have a great job waiting for you, but you may have to first go to school and then apply for it--it's a partnership.
  
• God gives us wisdom.
  
  God hears and answers prayer. I think one of his most favorite prayers to answer? A prayer for wisdom (see Solomon's story for more on that one). God is always willing to give wisdom--but we have to ask for it, look for it and live in it.
  
• God changes us from the inside-out.
  
  I think God is the ultimate Transformer--He can take an ordinary life and shape it into something absolutely incredible. Often, His transformations are from the inside out. When we allow God to change inside things like our thoughts and our desires, our previous plans may shift--because our steps have been re-ordered.