The Confident Planner

The Lord will work out His plans for my life - for your faithful love O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon me, for you made me. Psalm 138:8

As a new Christian, one of the many challenges I had to overcome was being confident (and comfortable) knowing God is working His plan for my life, even if  I don't know the details.  Early in my college career, and not unlike some of you, I had no idea who or what I wanted to be when I grew up. Some of my classmates knew exactly what they wanted to do, where they wanted to go, and who they wanted to be, right down to  the number of children they would have and what type of house they would live in. Not me. I did not have a clue about tomorrow, much less 5-10 years later.  But God knew. He knows all. And what is even better, He is working it all for your good.  Looking back, my college days were years ago, and years before my "encounter" with the Lord when I received His gift of salvation. And while it took me some time to see how He was working His plan in my life, I now know and have confidence that He is, even though I still don't have all the details.

It took me spending time with the Lord, learning His promises, trusting Him daily, and seeing how He carried me from situation to situation to really know that He is in control. This pattern has repeated consistently over the years, so much so that I now have confidence, not in myself or my plans, but in Christ Jesus, who is ultimately working His plan in my life. His plan is better than anything I can think or imagine, and I'm glad He didn't allow me to do it myself!  Once I "let go and let God" as they saying goes, I saw what He was capable of accomplishing in my life and what I was not. For the person I am and for how rich and fruitful my life is, I could not have created something so wonderful and perfect for me. Not perfection, because that is only Christ, but perfect for my situation, my personality, my talents, and my passions. 

Practice:

So whatever you are planning, or not, seek Christ first. Pray over whatever you are doing or want to do. Then stand in confidence that He will work His perfect plan for your life. 

Prayer:

Father, thank you! Thank you that you think of me the way you do. Thank you that you authored all of my days before I even came to be. My life is yours, and because you love me so much, you will only give me your best. You gave me the ultimate gift which was your son Jesus Christ, and now there is nothing else that you will not give me, for my good and for Your glory. Thank you for loving me so. In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen. 

~ Stacey
Women of Grace Member

And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:38