For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
Future. Hope. Possibilities.
Some of us look at the course of our lives and sigh. We are not excited about the future. It makes us feel overwhelmed and frustrated just thinking about it. Day after day of the same thing. Of never enough. Of struggle and sadness. Is this the hope and future that is promised in Jeremiah 29:11-13?
Your Story is Not Over
At the beginning of this year, our church is doing a series called “Your Story is Not Over.” There are times in our lives where we feel like it is “too late.” We have missed our chance. Messed up one too many times. But God still has a plan. It is not a stagnant, stiff plan that happens to us while we passively wait around.
The hope and future God has for us is a partnership. We partner with the builder of the universe to build a future that brings joy and fulfillment.
And, the bible says that when we direct our hearts toward God, our hope will not be cut off. The story is not over…
Let not your heart envy sinners,
but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.
Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Hear, my son, and be wise,
and direct your heart in the way. Proverbs 23:17-19 (ESV)
God has plans for your future, but they don’t happen TO you. They happen THROUGH you. Your future is not a passive thing, it is something you build and write in a partnership with God, the Author of the universe.
2 Futures to Build
When I graduated from high school, I received a ton of books and knick-knacks with Jeremiah 29:11 on them. As I was moving from childhood to an adult future, it seemed that everyone in my church wanted to remind me that God had a plan my life. And He did. And He does. A plan for right here on this earth, for satisfying work. For God’s Kingdom-building purpose.
But that’s not all…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NASB)
This world is not the only future we have. We have a future in eternity. Both for our future here and our future there, we must be building “a good foundation for the future.” We are actively working with God to build the plan that He has for us.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV)
Work is a Part of the Plan
We should not be afraid of hard work or try to shy away from it. Even in God’s perfect creation, at the start of time, he gave Adam a job to do.
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15 (ESV)
We were designed to keep our home. To work to build something and maintain it. To keep our hearts pure and our home orderly and flourishing.
Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. Genesis 2:19 (ESV)
Naming all the creatures. A job, a crazy huge, great big, overwhelming job of work. We were designed to accomplish what seems impossible without God’s help. We partner with God to accomplish all He has for us to do.
Growth is Part of the Plan
Some Christians believe that personal growth is not necessary for believers. Seeking out Godly wisdom, learning, growing…these are all a part of walking out our relationship with God. Wisdom is sweet to the soul. Our mind, will, and emotions – “our hearts” – feed on it and find joy.
My son, eat honey, for it is good,
and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
if you find it, there will be a future,
and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14 (ESV)
Don’t worry if you are not wise yet! When we don’t have the knowledge yet, it merely means we have the opportunity to gain the wisdom we need. It does not disqualify us from the plan God has for us. The change in us is part of the plan. Seeking it and finding it will secure our good future.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)
We partner with God, asking for the wisdom He has to offer.
Don’t Grow Weary
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
Do not grow weary. We are to be running the race. Actively pursuing the dream God has for us to dream for this life and eternity.
We partner with God to actively pursue the dream.
The Virtuous Wife
Proverbs 31 describes a woman who is a model for the Christian woman. She has hustle, this boss babe mom and wife of the Old Testament. She gets up early, works hard, looks after her household, earns an income, brings honor to her family, and more.
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future. Proverbs 31:25 (NASB)
Her future is something that makes her smile. She is filled with joy at the thought of what is to come.
During the present, she is living each day to prepare for her (and her family’s) future.
She partners with the living God to build a great life here on earth and and eternity to enjoy forever.
Do you want a future to smile about? I know I do.
Action Step:
Partner up with the Author of all Creation to write your life story. Dream together with Him and then take action. Ask God for the wisdom to know what action you need to take to step toward the dream He has for your life.
Coming up this month, I will be posting a series about getting your heart and home in order, the first job assigned to humans after creation. Tune in and let’s use the beginning of this year to lay the foundations for a future that will dazzle us and fill us with joy.
A new beginning. Full of hope, possibilities, and a future.
Happy New Year!
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You that You have a plan for each and every one of us. Thank You that you never give up on us. That our story is not over yet. Give us wisdom to see the next step that we are to take. Help us to partner with You to build the best future together. In Jesus’ name, amen.
