The Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you—plans for good and not harm, plans to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
I say, “I know the plans I want from you, Lord. Plans that include minimal pain, little conflict, and Yes’s to most of my prayers all the way Home. A life in which I’m surrounded by amiable, non-codependent, flexible, fun people. Then I want to go to sleep one night and wake up in heaven.” 1st Self 3:16
Lord Jesus, no matter our theoretical wish list for you—you are our Master not our masseuse—our King not our concierge—our gracious Savior not our personal Genie. And we shout an earnest “Hallelujah!” Your plans for us are good even when they’re not easy. Wherever your will takes us your grace will sustain us. Our future is pregnant with unimaginable hope, and we are securely in your heart and hand. Make this more real to us than ever before.
By your Word, Spirit, the Gospel and providence, you are presently making us like yourself. As hard as it is to imagine—one Day we will be fully like you, no longer able to sin, and only able to love perfectly.
This way of life and grace does involve the pain of exposure, but only so we’ll grow in the wonders of your love and the beauty of Jesus-like-ness. Though it hurts—burn away more of our sin-dross, selfism, autonomy, and unbelief. For as you do, our love for you and delight in you will increasingly grow.
So, Jesus, free me and my friends to see more and more of your truth, goodness, and beauty—in every season and circumstance of life, in every sunrise and sunset, in our friendships and hardships. Grant us grace to trust your heart when we don’t understand your hand. So Very Amen.
