Trust His Plans

All of my life, I have been a planner and an overachiever. By the time I was in high school, I had at least the first 20 years of my life mapped out. I would graduate from high school, attend a 4-year university, go to medical school, and become an Ob/Gyn. Thereafter, I would buy a home and travel the rest of my life. How many of you know that my life now resembles less than 50% of the way I planned it? Where was my husband and children? What about my 18-year teaching career and all of the other things I have done in my life? Good question! They were not originally part of my plan. However, they have by far brought the most joy out of me and my life.

Now, let me be honest. I sometimes wonder what my life as a doctor would have been like because I have always been intrigued by science and the human body. That is the reason I decided to pursue a degree in Biology. It is also why I taught science for 18 years. When I think about how God’s plan for my life has evolved since I was 14 years old, I am very grateful. I may not have become a doctor but I have taught numerous students who have become doctors, nurses, other healthcare professionals, lawyers, teachers, artists, and so much more. I have been blessed to attend graduations, weddings, baptisms, and baby dedications. Would I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people of all ages and pour into them? Maybe in some other capacity but I am so grateful for what God has done.

I think sometimes we tend to get so focused on what could have been that we forget to live in the moment and recognize what God is currently doing in our lives. When we do, we miss out on the joy of living in the “now” of God’s plan and all of the valuable lessons that He is teaching us. Yes, I could have been a successful physician. Yes, I could have been around the world and back by now. Yes, I may have even had more money than I do right now. But was that God’s plan for my life? If it was, He would have brought it to pass. That is why is so important to not lean to our understanding and to seek Him in every way, so He can direct our paths as instructed in Proverbs 3:5-6. Only He knows what lies ahead and the plans He ultimately has for us. As His children, we have to learn and believe it with our whole hearts. We have to learn to be content in any and every circumstance. We have to be intentional in our gratitude for the life He has blessed us with, even if it doesn’t look like what we imagined.
When we shift the posture of our hearts, our eyes will shift too. We start to see things differently. Then, we can live in expectation and excitement about what lies ahead of us even when fear tries to creep in and rob us of trusting God.

Do you have anything in your life that seems to cause you to worry instead of hope for the future? What do you fear? Maybe things don’t necessarily look like you wanted them to. Don’t lose hope. Don’t allow the enemy to cause you to fall into his trap. He knows your future. So, he desperately desires to distract you from the promises of God. If so, ask God to restore your hope and give you a glimpse of what’s to come. He will do it. Don’t worry about where you are going because God is already there and He has good plans for you.

Rest in His promise found in 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”.

Be blessed!

©️ 2022 FREE. All Right Reserved.