Friday, September 2, 2011

God Builds A Worthy Future

For every house has a builder, but God is the one who made everything. -- Hebrews 3:4

This year has been a difficult season in my life. It has been filled with broken promises and plans that were blown apart by others -- again and again. I’ve clung to my Rock but I am most definitely wind tossed and drenched from the waves crashing against me.

I realized just how shaken I was the other night when I spoke with a friend. She wanted to plan which fall craft shows we would be heading out to over the next few months. It’s something we both enjoy. I told her I was afraid to plan my day, much less activities weeks or months from now. The truth of that was really sad.

I don’t want to sound the gong of doom. God has blessed me in incredible ways. I now teach a wonderful Sunday school class. It was something I hadn’t planned that God personally delivered. It’s been an awesome experience. I’ll soon be the facilitator of a new women’s bible study. That, too, is a gift hand-delivered from God.

But for every step forward, it seems that someone else has appeared to knock me down. I’ve had orders that have never been picked up. I’ve got furniture pieces waiting for their owner to bring the rest or pick up what she’s already brought. It’s been a year and I’ve moved those drawers around one time too many.

I’ve made plans that got waylaid because someone else changed her mind at the last minute. I’ve been lied about and to. Repeatedly. I sound like a broken record even to myself. I guess you could say I’m just tired and the bruises keep coming.

And now I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

-- Philippians 1:6

I am so grateful that my God never breaks His promises. I am so grateful that He never lies to me or misleads me or kicks me down again and again. My God is loving and kind. He has great things planned for me. He won’t leave me in this place of fear and discouragement.

So I take my cares and worries to Him. I lay them at His feet, confident that He will turn this season of turmoil into a season of thanksgiving and joy. I know that He will prosper me and guide me. I know that He will continue to grow me and use me for His purpose.

God hears my prayers. His peace descends. With a deep breath, I step forward to the future He has planned for me.