“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster; to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
This verse is all too familiar to those who have questioned God’s plans for their life, or have experienced a time of trouble. You see, there is comfort in knowing that there is a plan to all this craziness that we call our lives. But this specific verse isn’t what I want to focus on. This is just setting the scene. Let’s look above and below this verse to find out where to start putting aside ourselves and leaning wholly upon God, through Christ Jesus.
This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.” -Jeremiah 29:10
Look at that again. God is telling His chosen people that they will suffer under Babylonian captivity for 70 years. 70 years! This certainly put a damper on their day, without a doubt.
- Consider this in modern terms: Imagine losing a loved one, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, being financially unstable, etc. These troubles may seem less important to us than being in captivity for 70 years, but by no means are they less important to our Father. Imagine God saying to you “You will lose your mother and father tomorrow. But don’t worry, because I have such wonderful things promised for you. This is all part of the plan, just trust me.” And believe it or not, He has told us this. In every trial and painful circumstance, God has forseen it and has planned for us amazing things we cannot even fathom.
So what do you think these Israelites where thinking at this point? I imagine it was something like this: “Ok cool. So 70 years… Now what?” How can you look at something like that and know where to go? You can’t. It isn’t possible. And that is exactly what God wants us to learn. Our first step forward out of any situation should not be a step we take with confidence in ourselves. It should be a step we take with total reliance upon God the Father, through Christ.
- Think about this: A blind man is walking down the street and is not bumping into a single thing! How can this be? He holds the modified leash-thingie attached to a seeing-eye dog, and that seems to guide him! Now imagine this: we are the blind man, and Jesus is the seeing-eye dog. He guides us through every circumstance, even when we can’t see what the future holds.
But what is the key to this amazing assistance?? Look at the next verse:
“In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” -Jeremiah 29:12-14
What God is saying here is that, if we pray to Him, He will listen. This is God’s way of saying: “When things get tough, I am still here. Always.” He says that if we look for Him wholeheartedly, we will find Him. That is key. If we desire God and His plan for us, with all of our heart, then no matter what, we will find Him.
So, to you reading this while suffering, and to you reading this while having peace, always remember this:
The place to start is always God, because He has been here since the beginning. He IS the start. The Alpha and Omega. He has a plan for us whether we see it or not.
Thank you, and God bless you. May the love that transcends all of this universe cover you and overwhelm you.
-GLS
Bearlee Afloat 