Plans to Prosper You

"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, NIV)

I awoke this morning, at about 5:00 am. Not feeling very well I took a bath, drank some water and put on the television. Flipping through the guide I came across a show on TBN titled "Joni and Friends". I do watch TBN on somewhat of a regular basis but generally would not put on a show called "Joni and Friends". However, this time, without even a thought I turned on this program. I was touched. It was about a quadriplegic named Ron who in the beginning struggled greatly with his disability but was soon enlightened as to what God had in store for his life. He realized that he was to press on and use his disability as a tool for ministry.

Ron is like many of us. Although we are not all physically disabled, most of us are disabled emotionally or mentally at one or many points in our lives. We question our abilities and purpose. I personally struggle greatly with what the Lord has in store for me. I feel that I am at a standstill and constantly ask God for his assistance and guidance in this matter. This is why Jeremiah 29:11 is such a verse of hope. It reveals that the Lord truly does have a plan for us and sincerely wishes to prosper us. He wishes to increase our relationship with Him. As he does this, we will thrive in our relationships with others. He longs for us to have peace and wholeness in our lives. Circumstances that may cripple us and hold us back from pressing on can be struck down by the promises of our comforter and friend.

It is undeniable that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us but it is we who ultimately decide whether or not to adhere. Our job is to pray and listen for what this might be and then follow through in obedience. We need to learn to recognize His voice and understand that He speaks to us much more than we realize. Words of wisdom from fellow Christians or dreams are many times God's communication to us. If we listen and obey then in time we will undoubtedly be rewarded for our faithfulness and our lives will be changed and enlightened.

God indeed has a plan for our lives but it is we who choose whether or not to seek out this plan and follow through. Sometimes we feel that we are at a standstill but we must seek and we will find in His timing. We might wonder why the hold up but God knows when we are ready. Soon enough, our lives we will be enlightened as the Lord Jesus increases in our lives and we decrease. The Lord has a plan for us. Let us have hope in this future that is in His perfect will.