God's Plan

God’s Plan

We misstep. We make mistakes. But we are never out of God’s sight.

Jeremian 29:11-13 - 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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God wants us to succeed. He wants us to live in His will and remember that no matter how we falter, He is there for us.

Jeremiah 29 is a letter to the exiles — specifically to the surviving elders and priests. These people had been carried from Jerusalem to Babylon, and God had a plan for them.

This letter also warns them not to follow those who were trying to deceive them by prophesying lies in God’s name.

When I read this, I think about how long they were in exile. In verse 10, it says that after 70 years, God would come for them.

Can you imagine that?

Being in the Promised Land, going against God, being taken out of it, and then — after at least 70 years — hearing from Him and being told, “I will come for you.”

My thought is that these elders and priests must have remained faithful to the Lord during that time, and God saw that.

When I reflect on that and compare it to my own life, I see my missteps, my unfaithful moments, my doubts, and the times I sought things other than the Lord. I grew up in the church, so I knew better… but God was always there. He must have seen something in me to keep pursuing me and calling me back.

It’s amazing that God welcomes us back no matter what we’ve done.

I’ve heard incredible stories of people who have done terrible things, yet God found them. He had a plan for them, and once they surrendered, they realized that plan had been in place all along. Now they tell all they can about God.

I’ve seen God’s hand in my own life. I had no clear plans, but God did. He moved in ways and placed me exactly where I needed to be — even when I didn’t realize it was happening. All of it led me to where I am now, doing His work.

We only see a small portion of the bigger picture, yet we often act like we understand it all. How closed-minded is that? It’s not until our eyes are opened to who God truly is that we begin to understand His plan has been in place our entire lives.

God desires for us to prosper. He is our hope for the future. He is the One who deserves all the glory.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been praying for someone to come to Christ for a long time. Sometimes I wonder if it will ever happen. I struggle with doubt. But then I’m reminded, through God’s Word, that no matter what I think or what I see, God’s ways are better, His thoughts are higher, and His timing is perfect.

One night, I was outside with my husband putting together a Christmas gift, and I was the helper, I held the flashlight.

In that moment, God showed me something.

He said, “Hold the flashlight out into the field. You can only see what’s in the light. You might have an idea of what’s ahead or what’s beyond it, but I am the only One who truly knows.”

That was about seven years ago, and it’s still one of the most powerful things the Lord has shown me.

I can make plans and think I know what’s ahead, but my plans are temporary. The truth is, I don’t really know — only God knows.

Keep this in mind: God’s plan is far better than anything we could ever think or imagine. So, when life is hard, when it feels like it won’t let up, and when you feel like you’re losing hope, remember — God is with you, and all of this is part of His plan. He wants you to fully rely on and depend on Him.

I’ve learned that when I release control and fully depend on God, life becomes lighter. When I make plans but leave room for the Lord to move, I’m not as stressed trying to force things to happen.

It’s in those moments that I see His hand. It’s in those moments that I’m reminded His plans are for my good — not to harm me, but to give me hope and a future.

When I seek Him through prayer and pursue His will, that is where faith, hope, and peace truly live.