This past weekend, I had the immense pleasure of spending a day in the beautiful Charleston, SC. From the second we entered the city, I was blown away. The architecture was beautiful, and the beach was stunning - a true, Southern, beach town. With the sun shining and the birds chirping, it wasn't hard to see why people seemed to flock to the city. I mean, just look at those beautiful homes! With brunch places, ice cream shops, and bars galore - what more could you need? If you haven't been there, drop what you're doing and go. Now.
For those of you who did not stop reading to go buy a plane ticket, I have to tell you - this post is not about Charleston. It's a two hour drive from my family's house where I was staying, and as you can imagine, a long car ride allows for plenty of conversation. One of the topics that came up was the casual topic of discovering God's plan for our lives. It stemmed from discussing the bond I formed with my students last year, and my friend's desire to keep with the work for years to come - a goal she had not originally intended, and one much less "successful" than what she could be doing. We talked about how God's plan for our life may not be what our plan is. God's plan for our life may not look the way we think it should. God's plan for our life might include sacrifice, because He has a bigger plan for us than we had for ourselves. This is a topic I tend to struggle with. In fact, I have been praying about it for months. It would be decieving to say that God's plan for our life is always clear, and that our path always seems straight, and following God is like a compass that takes us right where we need to be without any off-roading or getting lost. So I listened to the conversation, but kept thinking, "If only it were that simple." Like many others, I'm sure, my heart is drawn to many things and many places. I have various goals that do not relate, some of which would be more "successful" than others, some of which may be more fulfilling for my soul. This, I am positive, is not a struggle only I have. So how do we know which is God's plan, when our hearts are unsure? How do we know which path to follow? Unfortunately, this is not a post telling you how to figure it out. Because I have no idea, despite months on end of prayer and reflection. Back home this morning, I did my routine bible study. Sitting in the morning sun, listening to the birds sing, I read Jesus' wods - "Follow me." "I am the Light," He said, and those who "walk in the light will never walk in darkness." What a beautiful promise. What a beautiful calling. But, again, I prayed, "God I don't know what that means for me. I want to follow You, but I just don't know how." Sitting there, feeling dismayed, I heard God answer me - "I have already told you how." And He showed me. When I ask, "Lord, what is to come of my life?" He responds, "Do not be anxious." Phillipians 4:6 When I say, "God, I can't continue." He tells me, "Rest in Me. I will make your burdens light." Matthew 11:30 When I do not know which path to follow, He commands me, "Live generously." Matthew 5:42 When I cry, "Lord this person does not belong in my life!" He reminds me, "Love one another." John 13:34 And when I pray for months, and long for answers, and feel so alone, He promises, "Never will I leave you nor forsake you - til the very end of age." Matthew 28:20 And that is the most beautiful promise of all.
1 Comment
Denise Ballard
1/17/2017 10:32:48 am
So beautifully written. We were just talking about generosity on Sunday morning. For me, I have chosen to live generously and serve Him while I wait for His direction. Every day, I pray for God to amaze me. He doesn't blow me out of the water every day, but when he does, there is simply no denying it is Him!
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AuthorHello! I'm Becca -humanitarian, caffeine addict, lover of books, people, and all things Jesus. You can find me in my pajamas, day dreaming about rainy days and saving the world. Archives
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