What plans?

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.  Jeremiah 29:11

Anyone who has spent the smallest amount of time in church has doubtless heard this verse, and on more than one occasion. As I read it for the umpteenth time, I was struck by the verb tense. It says, “I know the plans I HAVE for you.” Have. Not had. We feel that even though God may, in fact, have had plans for us, our circumstances have robbed us of whatever hope and future God originally had in mind for us. We tell ourselves, “God had plans for me until I lost my job, my spouse left me, my loved one died, until __________.” You fill in the blank. What trial in your life has made you forget that God has present, active plans for your life?

Do we honestly, in our arrogance, think we can surprise God with any of our choices? That in His omniscience, He doesn’t see every person who disappoints us or derails our plans? That if we fail often that He’ll throw up His holy hands and says, “No more plans for you!” and turn his wonderful plans to someone more deserving? No.

He HAS plans for you. Today. Tomorrow. Every day that He gives you breath. He sees each possible outcome of every situation resulting from every possible choice you will ever make. And He HAS a specific plan for every possible contingency.

Embrace that freedom today of the many, wonderful plans He is always weaving for you!

Deb