God’s Plans Provide a Full Life to Enjoy
January went fast and January dragged on. Whereas I sound as if I am contradicting myself, I believe my statement is true. I find myself in the weird spot of knowing much has happened, while also feeling I’m standing in the same spot now as on January first.
A Goal to Fully Live
My sweet Pastor husband and I watched our house gain a driveway, walls, and a roof. We also acquired plumbing, electricity lines, and vents for our gas heat. I drive over most days after work and look for what’s new.
When we chose to build, I set a goal to fully live at the Farmhouse while building our own home. I imagined my children coming home at Thanksgiving. I painted the Christmas season full of friends and celebration out at the Farmhouse. In addition, I envisioned snowy nights enjoying the view out the big kitchen windows. I didn’t achieve my goal; I’m biding time at the Farmhouse.
Living in Exile
The Israelites experienced a similar problem in the book of Jeremiah. God allowed Babylon to capture them and steal them away from Jerusalem because of their disobedience. In Jeremiah 29, God instructed the Israelites to fully engage in life while they were in exile.
“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5-7, NLT
The Israelites were exiled in Babylon for 70 years, whereas I’m only living at the Farmhouse for 5-6 months. I intended to live as if the Farmhouse was my home, but I don’t feel as if I am home. I view the Farmhouse as adorable and comfortable. However, I focus too much on my future house and not building a life where I am currently residing.
Living into the Future
We all encounter this struggle whether we are building a new home or not. We set our minds on what is yet to be. For instance, we dream of something better we are convinced God has for us.
When we were in High School, we dreamed of the freedom we would know in college. As we journeyed through college, we imagined the independence and self-reliance of living in the real world. Once we had a job and fully adulting, we envisioned marriage, parenthood, and enviable promotions along with the fullness of life each offered.
God celebrates dreaming, imagining, and hoping. Later in Jeremiah 29, God reassures the Israelites about the future.
Jeremiah 29:11-14“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will end our captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.’”
Understanding Jeremiah 29
We often take these verses out of context. Consequently, we claim all God is saying as if He declared it for us in the 21st century. God isn’t telling us today we won’t experience any kind of disaster. Nor is God affirming He will bless each of us with a healthy fortune. Furthermore, we aren’t promised we won’t ever feel trapped in a circumstance, or that we will have a charming home on our own plot of land. God promised the Israelites an end to their exile and the ability to return to the land they viewed as their Promise from God.
The author of Hebrews tells us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT) We know from this verse what was true about God in Jeremiah remains true about God today. We must read the passages in Jeremiah and determine what we learn about God, who He is, what His character is, because those things are true for us to experience.
Three Truths for Us to Claim
The first truth I read about in Jeremiah 29:11-14 is God makes plans for those He loves. Therefore, God is not allowing life to just happen to us. For example, think about the world and how detailed everything is. Our Lord created all that we see, down to the minutest proton, neutron, and electron. God knows how to create a plan, and His plans are perfection.
The second truth is God’s plans are for our well-being. God reiterates this truth throughout scripture. Consider the following examples.
- John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
- Proverbs 21:21 “Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
- Psalms 16:11 “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”
- 2 Peter 1:3 “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.”
- 1 John 5:12 “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”
The third truth I see is God’s plans align with His mission and His glory. God wants us to dwell with Him for all eternity. More than anything, God longs to restore our relationship with Him, the very relationship He imagined we would have with Him from the beginning of creation. Moreover, we hold the hope of one day experiencing all of God’s glory as we worship Him in His throne room.
Living into God’s Plans
As one who intended to live into a great plan, I know it doesn’t always go as we imagine. We get distracted, discouraged, and tired of waiting. So, how do we live into God’s plans for us?
Jeremiah provides three simple steps for us.
- Pray with the assurance that God hears us (Jeremiah 29:12). God desires to converse with us. He wants to hear all that is on our heart, and He wants to share His heart with us.
- Seek God wholeheartedly (Jeremiah 29:13). God isn’t playing hide-n-seek; He wants to be found. However, when we seek half-heartedly, we are too distracted by our own selfishness to clearly see God.
- Rest in God’s guarantee that we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:14). We must continually remember we are living into God’s plan, which means He is the one setting the appropriate timing for all things.
I’m sure you’ve noticed God doesn’t make cookie cutter plans. My life and your life are not the same. Yet, we all serve the same God. Whereas the specifics of our lives are different, God has the same overarching plan for all of us. God wants us to know Him intimately and be confident we are known and loved. God desires we worship Him as Lord, relying on His perfect plans. May we each live for His glory alone.
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