God's perfect plans
I grew up in an Air Force family and we moved to a new place every few years or so. I know what it feels like to uproot, leave everyone I know (or was atleast getting to know), and start over again. I don't think I have ever really gotten used to it though. I have often longed for roots, roots that dig in deep.
This longing increases when people talk of being friends for years. They live and have lived in the same town for a number of years. They've been through much together. They know and understand each other and they have many shared experiences. And there I am...always feeling like the new person that most people don't know yet.
I realize that I could fool myself into thinking that life would be so much better...if only it were just so but I know better than to go down that road. The truth is everyone has a different story. Mine is as unique as yours is. But the thing that really gets me is that God planned it all. There's a saying, "Grow through what you go through"--and I totally get that. I know God is stretching me and shaping me. He always encourages me to shift my focus from what I wish was different to how I can make a difference. The more I think about it, the more I am reminded that no one has a perfect life here. And it's not meant to be. But following him wherever he leads--now that is the key.
I'm currently reading through a chronological Bible and I'm almost finished with the book of Numbers. Numbers doesn't tend to be a book that people consider spiritually uplifting or encouraging. But when I read through chapter 33, I noticed something.
It says, over and over again, that the Israelites departed from one place and then camped in another. God lead them through so many ups and downs. They had rebelled against their leaders. They complained time and time again about their leaders and about the lack of particular food they really wished they had (and it was so good back in Egypt!). Even after being miraculously delivered from slavery and God parting the Red Sea for them to cross on dry ground--they still complained!
Sometimes we look back and we might think that things were so much better when we had this or that. We might also be looking ahead and wondering what good things will come. Sometimes I even worry that things are going in such a good direction that surely something is going to happen to ruin it all before I really get to enjoy life to the fullest. I am learning in every circumstance to be content and not to let my heart complain. I want to trust God every step of the way knowing that he is working out his perfect plans for me. Just like he's been doing all along.
This longing increases when people talk of being friends for years. They live and have lived in the same town for a number of years. They've been through much together. They know and understand each other and they have many shared experiences. And there I am...always feeling like the new person that most people don't know yet.
I realize that I could fool myself into thinking that life would be so much better...if only it were just so but I know better than to go down that road. The truth is everyone has a different story. Mine is as unique as yours is. But the thing that really gets me is that God planned it all. There's a saying, "Grow through what you go through"--and I totally get that. I know God is stretching me and shaping me. He always encourages me to shift my focus from what I wish was different to how I can make a difference. The more I think about it, the more I am reminded that no one has a perfect life here. And it's not meant to be. But following him wherever he leads--now that is the key.
I'm currently reading through a chronological Bible and I'm almost finished with the book of Numbers. Numbers doesn't tend to be a book that people consider spiritually uplifting or encouraging. But when I read through chapter 33, I noticed something.
It says, over and over again, that the Israelites departed from one place and then camped in another. God lead them through so many ups and downs. They had rebelled against their leaders. They complained time and time again about their leaders and about the lack of particular food they really wished they had (and it was so good back in Egypt!). Even after being miraculously delivered from slavery and God parting the Red Sea for them to cross on dry ground--they still complained!
Sometimes we look back and we might think that things were so much better when we had this or that. We might also be looking ahead and wondering what good things will come. Sometimes I even worry that things are going in such a good direction that surely something is going to happen to ruin it all before I really get to enjoy life to the fullest. I am learning in every circumstance to be content and not to let my heart complain. I want to trust God every step of the way knowing that he is working out his perfect plans for me. Just like he's been doing all along.
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