Hey y'all! So, it has been a while since the last time I posted anything, but like I said last time, college makes you busy. There seems to never be a dull moment or time for rest. Here I am now, though, taking the time to lay out what is on my mind/heart.
As I am planning for my mission trip to Mexico, I have been faced with many different people and situations that have really got me thinking "Why am I here?", "Why did God place me where I am?", and "What is my purpose here on earth?" As I contemplated these questions, I was encouraged to dig and to ask questions and to figure out the answers to these questions that at first glance seem so simple. As I continued to seek what God has for me, I was deeply encouraged in so many different things. I want to share some of those with y'all, and hope that they encourage you just as they have encouraged me.
- God has a plan for all of us.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that God truly does have a purpose for each and everyone of use. We were all created by God, for God. He knows the amount of hairs on your head (Luke 12:6-7). He knows your deepest secrets, worries, aspirations, and dreams. He knew all of this before you were even thought of by your parents (Jeremiah 1:5). How amazing is that?! Our God, the Ruler of the Universe, the Ultimate King, the Loving Father loves us so much that He takes to time to intimately care for and know us. Wow! Now, take this in. The King who knows your inmost being, has a plan for you. Not just a plan that is like everyone else's plan. No! He has a specific and unique plan just for you. Made and mapped out with you as an individual in mind.
- God's plan is the ultimate plan
So many times, we like to think that our plan is higher that God's. As humans, we, by nature, are lead to believe that we know what is right for ourselves. We are lead to believe that we can handle anything that comes our way, and that we know just what the future will hold for us. This could not be anymore wrong! In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says ""My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." God lays it out for us. He does not leave it to question. His ways are higher than our ways. We can only see one single pixel of the picture, and God can see the entire view. Why would we trust our own selves when we are so blind to what He has for us? We are to seek out and follow His plan for us.
- God's plan is for your best interest
God knows just what we need. He knows what we desire and want as well. God will not bring us something, or He does not have something in His plan that is not with our best interest in mind. In Jeremiah 29:11 He tells us just this: "For I know the plans I have for you,...Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." He knows what he has for you, and He assures us that it will be good for us and not bring us harm.
- God's plan is not always easy
So many times, we are told that being a Christian is not easy. Nothing could be any more true. We are not promised a straight path that is clean and fresh. Rather, our path my look a little rough. If you have seen Kid President's Pep Talk he says, "Two roads diverge in the wood, and I took the road less traveled, and it HURT, MAN!! Really bad! Rocks! Thorns! Glass!" He gets it! Just like our walk with faith, we will encounter some struggles, some hurts. We will encounter tough times, and broken hearts. Is this supposed to lead us away from God? NO! NO! NO! It is actually just the opposite. We are to RUN closer to Him. An important thing to remember is that God will not bring us to something that He will not bring us through. He will not leave us either when times get hard. As the boat starts to rock, He will hold our hands as we fear. He will hug us as we cry. He will carry us when we are tired. Trust Him to do just that. Trust your life with Him, and that He will NEVER leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
So, now what? Take this. Take it and RUN! Take encouragement in the fact that you have a purpose. Our ultimate purpose for life is to Glorify God and to Make Him Known. How will you do this? How are you currently doing this? Will you take heart when times get hard, and cling to Him? Will you seek out what He has in store for you? What keeps you from seeking out and living His plan for your life? Are you afraid? Are you anxious? Let all that hinders go away. Run the race that He has marked out for you as it says in Hebrews 12:1. Take courage and sprint to Him.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw of everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Hebrews 12:1-2
So many times, we are told that being a Christian is not easy. Nothing could be any more true. We are not promised a straight path that is clean and fresh. Rather, our path my look a little rough. If you have seen Kid President's Pep Talk he says, "Two roads diverge in the wood, and I took the road less traveled, and it HURT, MAN!! Really bad! Rocks! Thorns! Glass!" He gets it! Just like our walk with faith, we will encounter some struggles, some hurts. We will encounter tough times, and broken hearts. Is this supposed to lead us away from God? NO! NO! NO! It is actually just the opposite. We are to RUN closer to Him. An important thing to remember is that God will not bring us to something that He will not bring us through. He will not leave us either when times get hard. As the boat starts to rock, He will hold our hands as we fear. He will hug us as we cry. He will carry us when we are tired. Trust Him to do just that. Trust your life with Him, and that He will NEVER leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
So, now what? Take this. Take it and RUN! Take encouragement in the fact that you have a purpose. Our ultimate purpose for life is to Glorify God and to Make Him Known. How will you do this? How are you currently doing this? Will you take heart when times get hard, and cling to Him? Will you seek out what He has in store for you? What keeps you from seeking out and living His plan for your life? Are you afraid? Are you anxious? Let all that hinders go away. Run the race that He has marked out for you as it says in Hebrews 12:1. Take courage and sprint to Him.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw of everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
-Hebrews 12:1-2
