I

GOD HAS A PLAN

For I know the plans that I

have for you, declares the

LORD, plans to prosper

you and not to harm you,

to give you hope and

a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

I'm sure my ladies Sunday school class would tell you a statement I often make and that is that God always has a plan in our lives.  I recall seeing teenagers go forward at invitation time of a church service desiring to know God's will (plan) for their lives, especially in the area of ministry.  For some reason, as we age, we lose sight that even where we are in live that God always has a plan for each of us.

That plan we once thought to know when younger could have been to know one's future occupation, college to attend, person to marry, where to live, etc.  All of those, many of us have already hurdled.  We tend to forget or perhaps ignore the fact that God has continuing phases of His plan for us.  Some of those revealed plans we may like or not like, but it's still His plan.

We should consider that God's plan and planning is always perfect,  We might highly disagree with that when we find ourselves in some difficult places, but He's correct in every way, every time in His planning.  We must also believe that His plans are right on time, according to His own schedule and timeliness in our individual lives.  His planning for us isn't just when we are seeking in our youth what we want to be when we grow up.  God's plans are ongoing no matter our stage of life.

We may not understand (disagree) with God's plans for us at times.  When working six years in a slum area in a Christian center, I couldn't figure out why one day, like a clap of thunder, I knew I had to leave that position that I thought I would spend the rest of my life doing.  It hurt and I had NO means of support in making that move.  In a little over a week, I had a new job, apartment, close to the chuch I attended, and almost next door to a Kroger store.  In six months, I had my first date with Brian.  There's no way, I could have anticipated how God was going to work His own plan for me.

I have known folks out of jobs with no work in sight.  They've done everything to apply and go for interviews to the point almost of insanity.  In it all, where is God?  Even in the hardest of times, God has a plan for each of those lives.  Nothing may make sense in the moment, the God is in charge and knows what He's doing despite our discouragement.

We've all gone through the serious illnesses of family members and friends.  God seems to be almost silent, especially if one such person passes away.  We may ask our questions about it all but we don't stop to consider that the greatest plan God can work in our lives is to take a loved one or even ourselves to be with Him.  That's what I would call THE divine plan of all time.

In times of figuring out God's plan or in being a part of it, we are to do what we can to stay close to the grand Planner through being in His Word, being people of prayer and staying active spiritually.  Our spiritual walk, despite missing a loved one, not having a job or just facing life's difficulties will keep us strong and learning more about trusting the One who knows and loves us best.

Dear Father, there's so much to this life that at times makes no sense.  Even when we know that You know best in all things, our trust may tend to waver.  May Your Spirit work a strength in us that is unbelievable, giving us a stronger hope as we contemplate future days.  We love You so much.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen