Big Plans

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 

Psalm 37:23 (KJV)

     From the time I was a little girl up until college, I had plans. Some of them were predetermined in my life by others, but all of them were good plans. I was taught to dream big and try to pursue my dreams to the best of my ability. To be honest, I thought that life would just come alongside me and we would work together. I was idealistic at best. When my life started to change in directions I didn’t want to go, I began to question my plans altogether. 

    Sometimes, I look back and wonder if things had gone another way at this or that point in my life would I have been in a different place? When I would think too long about where I was versus where I wanted to be and I would become a little downcast. In all transparency, our society teaches that having: social status, material goods, wealth, and accomplishments are all that matter. I will be the first to admit that I struggled with this notion frequently. There are even times when I still question, “Is this where I was supposed to be?” or “Was this the path I was supposed to take?” It’s in those moments that I realize that even though I had a plan, God has a bigger and better plan for me.

    In Jeremiah 29:11 it says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (ESV) There are times when I try to figure out God’s plan and I don't understand it. I know that all things are working together for my good (Romans 8:28), but I am waiting for the manifestation to come to pass. When I don’t consistently comprehend the direction my life is taking. Nevertheless, I trust that God is taking me the right way. The most amazing thing about God’s Word is that every prophetic word spoken over my life from childhood to now and every promise I read in the Bible still applies to my life. As long as there is breath in my body I can still see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) God told Jeremiah in the first chapter in the 5th verse that, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (NIV) 

    I knew at an exceptionally young age that I was called to do a work for God. I was called to do something great in His Kingdom. While still very young, I chose to commit to God’s plan for my life. I did not know what that meant at the time, but I realized years later that it wasn’t for the faint in heart. For many from the outside looking in, people may think that one’s life should be filled with other endeavors. They may even reason that one’s life was somehow derailed along the way. I disagree. Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) clearly states that we should commit our work to the Lord and our plans will be established. This means that God doesn’t want you to stop dreaming, but wants you to allow Him to take your dreams and make them into His version. This is the best version. This is the biggest version. This is the most amazing version. The Word says plainly in Ephesians 3:20a that “He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”, (KJV).

    This train of thought feels differently when you are in the middle of a storm that won’t let up. I have thought on many occasions that somehow God forgot about my plans or that it was too late to fulfill the desires deep within me. Although those thoughts cross my mind, I have to reset myself and restart my mindset to see life through God’s lens. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) God has a purpose and a destiny to fulfill in all of our lives. The best part about God’s plans is that they never fail. Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

    I want to encourage you that God has bigger plans for your life than you can even imagine. His promises are Yes and Amen according to  2 Corinthians 1:20. Although we can end up in a place that we didn’t expect to be, as long as we are walking in with the Lord He will fulfill His plans in an even bigger way. Hebrews said in 10:23 (ESV), “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” This means we can trust that God will not let us down. We can bank on His plans, fulfillment and promises to come to pass in our lives. Lastly, I will leave you with this verse, Psalm 20:4 (ESV) May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Let’s pray: Today as we think about the plans that we have made though some may have failed, we trust that You are sovereign. You know what is best for us. Some of the plans that we have You blocked for our protection. Thank You for that Lord! Other plans we had have are yet to be fulfilled. Although it may seem like we are forlorn we can trust You are not a man that you should lie or son of man that You will change Your mind. (Num. 23:19) You take special care to watch over every Word to perform it. (Jer. 1:12) Heaven and Earth will pass away before Your words do. (Matt. 24:35) Therefore, I thank you Lord, that You are trustworthy, faithful and honest. We give You our plans and trust that You will make them bigger and better than they have ever been before. In Jesus name let everything be established. Amen. 

Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 1:5, Proverbs 16:3, Ephesians 3:20a, Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 16:9, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 10:23, Psalm 20:4, Numbers 23:19, Jeremiah 1:12, Matthew 24:35 (Versions: King James, English Standard, and the New International Version were all used respectively)


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