by Jordyn van Gaalen

God’s Greater Plan

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“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV

We all deal with disappointment in one way or another, throughout our lives. We work and pour into something, hoping for good to come of it. And yet, we fall short, we get passed up, or something beyond our control gets in the way. We are headed in a specific direction, until abruptly we are not. We face heartbreak. We deal with plans not going our way. We are stopped by roadblocks that block us from moving forward.

It is an experience we can all relate to, and one that will resurface often. 

Even when we have the best of intentions. Even when our plans seem good and faithful. Even when we feel that we are following God in our endeavors. Disappointments and pursuits not coming to fruition will occur.

Disappointment can often lead to discouragement. 

But God meets us in our journey. He walks alongside us as we face the disappointment and the emotions that follow. He cares deeply about our heartbreak. And He opens doors we did not see. He leads us down paths we never would have chosen, because our vision is limited. We are standing in the midst of events unfolding. In His perfect timing, He reveals a path that leads to a full life. He reveals paths that will lead to His outstretched arms. He can and will accomplish far beyond what we could ever see or imagine for ourselves. He is a good, good Father. 

God has a plan for each of our lives. He sees the bigger picture. He sees the way in which we can be lights in this world. We can only see a sentence at a time as the story unfolds. Even in the darkest of times, He will provide a way. He will work good into every situation and season, especially the hard ones. 

God’s not finished doing work in your life. Until the day you pass from this life into the next, God is not done with you. He will continue to pour into you and use your trajectory for His glory – in order to be a light and  bring more people into His adoptive family. His love reaches beyond your current situation. 

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado