It persisted and demanded to be taken seriously-not brushed off or ignored as merely consoling words of comfort. I think we have all heard this verse a lot, which is why I failed to realize its significance in my life.
When I really think about this verse, I realize that those plans that God has for me look nothing like the plans I have for me.
For instance, a popular thing to do in Christian circles is to write down a list of qualities or traits that you would like in a husband. The goal is to know what you value and to help you stick by those values.
I cannot even write out that list. Every time I try and think about it, I write down attributes of whatever particular guy I like at the time.
I try to tell God, "This is the man I would like. Now change your plans."
I am a planner, a controller. I want to make my own plan and follow it. For me, not having a plan is really scary. The problem is that my plan is just that: mine. It is not God's.
Time and time again in my life I have wanted something and not gotten it. I did not want something bad, I wanted something good. Each time my desire faded and I was left without.
Every single time without fail, when this has happened, something way better has occurred in my life. Something totally unexpected and way better than I could have ever imagined.
I can just imagine God saying "See, this is my plan...and it is way better than yours!" (Yes, He has sass.)
Still, every single time, I doubt him.
I doubt him because I know pain. I know disappointment, as does anyone who has really lived. I write this to say that it is hard.
Life is hard. Trusting in God's plan in the midst of it all; That is hard.
Trusting in God's plan is something that I fail at, all the time. Still, I choose to trust in God's plan for me, even when I do not know it.
You are so loved!
~Emily
