No matter how things seem, no matter what you have in mind… “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans shaped by heaven not evil—plans about a good future and real hope.” (pp Jer. 29:11)
Heavenly Father, this much-loved verse both confronts and comforts us. It confronts that part of us that wishes you would simply sign off on the plans we make for ourselves. We like stories that include little disruption, ample resources, and minimal suffering. In essence, we’d choose a life requiring little faith, growth, and no waiting. We’d choose a Hallmark story over a Heaven scripted one.
But life between the two comings of Jesus is all about waiting—and more importantly, trusting. Fortunately, with regard to Jesus’ 2nd coming, we’re not waiting to climb into the dentist’s chair, but into the eternal joys of “all things new.” Until that Day, you are our true Home. Our past, present, and future are firmly in your loving grip of grace. Hallelujah, and thank you.
If we knew what you know, Abba, and could hear Jesus praying for us right now, we’d worship more and wrangle less. We’d have more peace than ulcers and would be more accepting than resenting of the hard things we experience before heaven. One day we WILL say, “My God truly worked in ALL things for my good—even in the things I cussed-and-kicked about, things I could not make sense of or believe a loving Father would allow” (Rm.8:28).
We have every opportunity and reason to learn this great truth now, in the waning days of 2025. Indeed, Abba, we don’t want you to be predictable or programable or to cater to our every whine-and-whim. You gave Jesus to us and for us; certainly, we can trust you give us everything else we actually need (Rom. 8:32). Thank you, and So Very Amen.
