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Only God Knows

Jeremiah 29:11-13  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.   You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

The last sentence has convicted me a bit on this one.  Am I seeking God with all my heart?  What do I seek on a daily basis?  My job, my spouse, financial security, a family?  Unfortunately, I think all of these, plus a few, are what I'm seeking and causing me to lose sight of God.  God has plans to give me hope and a future, but my earthly, finite brain gets all tied up in what that future might hold.  Then, I try to create that future on my own by listening to God and moving where I think He wants me to go.  Instead, I need to keep my eyes on Him and allow whatever is in the future to just be, focusing on God the entire time and letting Him get the details of my future in place for me.  Why is this so hard, especially when He's proven Himself faithful, and capable, time and again?  Sadly, I'm arrogant and think I know what God has planned, so I begin to move on my own and slowly leave him behind.  When in actuality God is the only one who knows what He's doing in my life and knows the plan He has for me. "For I know the plans I have for you,".  Should I be passive then and just follow as if I'm a marionette on a string?  Not at all.  The scripture tells me to call upon God, be in His presence and pray. Essentially, focus on God.  This makes me think of Jesus in the garden.  I think it's safe to say that Jesus knew the plans ahead of him, and he still followed the scripture; he called upon God and prayed in the garden as the guards came.  What a great example of staying connected to God at all times!  God knows the plans He has for each of us.  He plans to give us hope and a future.  Where do you see God giving you hope today?  Recognize what He's doing to give you hope, then look into His eyes to see the future He's preparing for you.  Call upon Him, pray to Him and you will find Him.

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