For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord,
plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me,
I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me;
if you seek me with all your heart,
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NRSV)
Sometimes we wonder where to begin in following God’s plan for our lives. As we enter March, facing Spring and renewal, it’s the perfect time to solve that puzzle. The first step, I believe, is this: Get busy! Be active. God guides you every step of the way as you move forward—even if it is only baby steps.
The Lord’s promises are guaranteed; we can relax and completely surrender.
Often, fear and frustration come when we can’t see God’s will clearly. It can be hard to face the reality of what it means to follow His will genuinely. Often, however, the risk is that we understand all too well. God may ask us to do something we don’t want to do.
We cherish the fact that Jesus loves us sooo much. But then He asks us to turn our will over to Him completely. It includes all of our plans, all of our talents, all our interests, ambitions, goals, and dreams. It encompasses our families, even the plans we have for each one.
I remember what it was like to step out on faith, following God’s direction for entering ministry. My husband and I made decisions others said were ridiculous or, at least, defied conventional wisdom and logic. God fulfilled every promises when we totally surrendered.
Here’s the checklist God gave us: Move from Ohio…where you own your home… to Tennessee…where I haven’t given you any evidence of a roof over your heads. Okay, Lord; check! Quit your jobs! No, there are no new job offers on the horizon. Check! Pack your kids, put your belongings in the car. Go.
Abundance means walking up to the door of life as if there’s an electronic eye ready to open it automatically. The clincher is having to step forward and be within a few feet of the entry before the door opens.
The first step in total commitment is this: just walk. One step at a time. An inch or two every day. And it’s a life-long journey. Just because you did it yesterday doesn’t mean it’s finished. There’s tomorrow’s struggle between what you choose and God’s plan. And the tug-of-war that comes after that. One surprising door after another.
That’s the abundant life for you! As the lyrics of the gospel song go, “I wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now!” He is faithful, as promised. So are His plans.
Regina M. Prude is an author and inspirational speaker. Send e-mail comments to [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reginaprude) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/rprude.) Write her at PO Box 58795, Nashville, TN 37205.
