Big Plan

Series: Flowers in the Desert

Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

Romans 8:28 ESV

Every day when I sit down to write or draw/paint I intentionally try to “not” think about what to write about. That’s because I want all things to be about what God wants.

I did not come by that because I’ve had an easy well-planned out life.

Quite the contrary.

When I was young and just starting the road to ministry, I didn’t have misgivings. I was certain God had a “good to great” plan for us. I sought God’s plan. I did that because me da taught me to do that.

One of the problems I faced is that I am an eternal optimist.

Allow me to explain.

Later in life when I God called me to go to Seminary, we had to take personality tests. I didn’t know it at the time but it’s actually a great plan because knowing yourself is essential when helping others to know themselves.

Every test I took showed I am an extreme optimist. The cup is always full. While that is a great way of looking at things there are draw-backs.

I realized (and was advised by a team of psychologists) that not being able to see the ruts in the road ahead means I will always be surprised when there are ruts in the road.

When I went to Seminary I had already experienced “ruts in the road”.

In Philippians 4:12-13 the Apostle Paul wrote, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

A decade after I finished Seminary I look back and while I am still an optimist I have shifted my thoughts.

I am certain that in all of life, there are good times and bad times.

There is plenty and there is scarcity, but regardless of what God brings there is a plan.

The Prophet Jeremiah wrote in 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.”

Plus, even in the absolute worst of times, God uses all things for good.

We know from the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So, while there was a time when I was absolutely certain that things were so bad that I told myself I needed to just survive for one hour, and when that hour was over I would vow to survive for one hour, and I believed God would help me to survive, I did not see how I would ever thrive again.

I could not understand or fathom that God would bring good from the earthquake rubble of my life.

At that point in time it looked like while others had suffered the same loss, they had been blessed and they immediately moved on.

No such miracle came for me.

For days and months and years God slowly pulled me out of the rubble. Even as I struggled, I could not understand. Where is my miracle?

At one point I thought God brought a miracle but it turned out to be more rubble.

At that point, I realized I needed to back up and sit with the rubble. Even though I don’t understand it I need to believe that God does have a plan for the rubble.

I need to embrace that good things will come from the rubble.

While it’s hard seeing others who were quickly able to move on from their rubble, I have to believe that God does have a plan.

Good will come.

In the interim…I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I can.

Do.

All things.

Through Christ.

Sometimes that means today.

I can do all things today. Even though we may not understand God’s plan, we CAN do today.

We can do it because Christ gives us strength. So, let God build strength in you while you wait. Like me, you may know others who were able to quickly move on and who quickly realize God’s plan for them, KNOW THIS.

The bigger the plan…the longer it takes for God to prepare us.

Those people who got a quick answer for their plan don’t have a bigger plan coming.

I know…I KNOW a BIG plan can take time. God needs to prepare us.

God does have a plan.

It will be good.

If you’ve waited a long time, it is a big plan.

Spiritual Practice: Wait

Practice waiting WITH God. Just sit with God and wait.

In God, Deborah

acrazyjourney.com