Published 9/13/19
Read 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."
Reflect
• How can we know the plans God has for us?
With movies and novels, we know how long the conflict will last, right? All we have to do is glance at our watch or check the number of pages left in the book. But life is not like this.
The real world doesn't always provide us with a last-minute solution, hidden until we have a need for it. Life doesn't always leave us feeling triumphant and fulfilled. Sometimes it does, but often it just doesn't, no matter how hard we work at it.
The truth is, you and I need the Savior. As mere mortals--with no superpowers or futuristic gadgets to protect us--we need the One who is omniscient, larger than life, the ultimate Hero. Yet we are often afraid of stepping out in faith, because we have learned not to have faith--in life, in circumstances, or even in ourselves.
But what about our faith in God? How far will our faith really lead us?
As a Christian--as a committed follower of Jesus--we know that our Lord leads us through some rocky roads. Yet Jesus never took the comfy paths when He was here in the flesh. And He doesn't take them now in the person of the Holy Spirit, our guide. If we want to stay in our comfort zone we can, but we'll lose sight of Him very quickly, as He moves on--reaching out to those who need Him.
Instead, He calls us to boldly follow Him--everywhere He goes.
You and I have a mission. And if we choose to accept it, we can change lives for eternity. This is actually what we were made for. We will never find fulfillment in life unless we find our mission, our calling, our purpose. It's our job to love God and to serve Him boldly.
Come to think of it, this is what the human heart yearns for. We can see it all around us: TV shows, movies, and books--stories that compel us to step out in faith, to do the impossible and to strive to become overcomers.
Pray
Lord, help me to care for other people, just as You demonstrated in the Bible. Help me to be compassionate to hurting people, just as You show us compassion. Help me to treat others with love, just as You loved us by sending Your Son to die for us. Amen