What God Declares

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (New American Standard Bible)

In the ordinary days can you hear God whisper these words to you? Plans for welfare, a future, and a hope. He wants you to know they weren’t just meant for the Israelites. They aren’t just meant for people in ministry. They are meant for each of us as His child. I hold on to that truth. My life is ordinary but my God is extraordinary. His thoughts and ways go beyond anything I can think of on my own.

Ministry for Him is not just limited to arenas and events. It is not just public speaking or published writings. If we don’t understand that, we will look at “ministry” people as the only recipients of God’s words through Jeremiah. We will view our own life as somewhat insignificant and unnecessary. We will feel as if our only lot in life is to be over looked and unused.

One of the things I love about the Bible are the many examples of God working through ordinary people living ordinary lives. They had common jobs such as fishing, farming, shepherding, sewing, tent making, and carpentry. Seldom was God’s call on their life even apparent until it unfolded. More often than not, their shining moments were sandwiched between years of faithfulness day in and day out. I keep that in mind as I approach each day. It is my desire to live each day to its fullest and sense God’s delight of me. To do whatever I do with passion and pride for what God allows me to do. To hear His “well done” at the end of each day. To spend each day finding the simple pleasures He has for me. Even on my worst days when I feel like a basket case I can rejoice that at least He has the handle in His hand.

While I don’t know what His plans for my life are, I can spend my life knowing Him better. Just over six years ago I began a journey that changed every aspect of my life and today I can say with confidence that I know Him better than I have ever known Him. I can tell Him things I use to try to hide from Him. I can cry with Him and laugh with Him. I can sing to Him and stand in silent awe of Him. So as He whispers the words of today’s verse to me I am accepting them without reservation.

Father, You know and that is all that matters. Amen.

What the Lord Has Done in Me - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4H6Uv7BI7I&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.