Plans for Hope

I’m wondering what you are hoping for today? I know our world is strange and topsy turvy. I know nothing seems to make sense (even more so than any other time in history) –so it seems. But I am a firm believer in that ‘things are not as they appear.’ There is a deeper truth in the works that we are not seeing or cannot see. Perhaps we are even being shielded from the intricacies of future plans that may only confuse us or cause greater turmoil.

Consider the context of Jeremiah 29:11 when God tells the Israelites that he has a plan for them beyond the false prophets lies. The Israelites are tempted to believe all the strangeness of the times swirling around them. They most certainly had to be asking themselves what is happening here? Nothing was making sense. Yes, they were being held captive in Babylon, but this for their own good and also all part of God’s bigger plans for hope and a future. Talk about topsy turvy and strange!

There is none but God who is able to see seventy years into the future. Simply put, he is the one to look to and the one to trust for all of our tomorrows. This is proverbially so much easier said than done but in order to ever realize the goodness of God, we must try to hang on to hope.

How do we hang on to hope? This directive is also in the Scripture of Jeremiah 29. Verse twelve says that when things get weird (my added words,) then we will call on him and come and pray to him, and he will listen to us. It also says that we will seek him and find him when we seek him with all of our heart. (I wonder why we wait till it all goes completely south when we finally seek God with all of our heart? This too part of the plan.) God promises the Israelites that he will come to them and fulfill his good promise to them and bring them back home. And he did! As Christians, our hope is in Christ alone. He is coming back to get us and that’s a promise that should bring great hope to our weary souls…and he will!

We may not get to go back to Mayberry with Andy and Aunt Bea, but then again who wants to? The good, old days will most certainly pale in comparison to the plans that God has for us.

So, don’t let go. Stay in the moment. Take care of yourself just for today. Make a plan for this week to go for walks while summer is still upon us. Each some fresh veggies from the garden and peaches and apples from the tree. Go to the farmers market. Visit with your neighbors and treat yourself to the goodness of the season. Get outside and pull a weed, pet your dog or horse, hug your family with a hug that lasts a little longer than usual. Try to see beyond your last inconvenience or complaint. Keep your mouth shut a little longer in conversation and actually listen to who is speaking and the message they are trying to convey. You don’t have to solve everyone’s dilemmas or be right–just for today!

Lean into God’s plan. He will most certainly fulfill every promise he has ever made. I’m quite sure he already has… I’m just a little slow in my unbelief. Oh God! Please help me in my unbelief!!

Saddle up missy, we got a trial to blaze!

Love you much. Diane