I think we can all agree that talking about this pandemic is like playing a broken record. It is hard to feel like anything new, let alone anything good, could come from this whole experience. By now a lot of us are exhausted by worry, absorbed by the questions we all want answers to, completely stir crazy, and stuck between not wanting to hear another word about it and feeling like we need to hear every detailed update all at once. I think we can all agree that none of us were prepared for times such as this.
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.
Jeremiah 29:11
When we live in a constant state of worry and panic, and we focus on all the chaos suffocating our society, we become preoccupied with things of the world and lose sight of what God is doing in the midst of it all. God has a plan. God is prepared. We can trust in God’s plans because His plans are for our good, our future, and for hope. He literally knows every detail of the past, present and future and has already determined how all of it is going to be used for the good of those who love Him. We can choose to be guided by God’s wisdom, hope, and good or we can make our own path focused on things we have no control over, leaving us stressed, worried, and no better off for it.
‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ‘
Romans 8:28
We all have a purpose and calling
Generally speaking, our purpose is to come to Christ, then go out into the world and bring others to Him as well. More uniquely, we each have our own God-given calling that is special to each person. God not only provides the plans but also provides everything we will need in order to accomplish that plan.
‘Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ‘
Matthew 6:26
Sometimes where God leads us doesn’t fit what we want or expect, and it’s easy to grow impatient as we try to navigate His timing. We think we know the right way, the right thing, the right time and it doesn’t make sense why we are still waiting. When we focus on our own wants we are quick to veer off His path, but when we stay tuned into God and are patient with Him, we find a much more blessed path than one we would try to create ourselves.
‘ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. ‘
Proverbs 16:9
Jesus shows us so many examples of pure faith in God’s timing. All the way to the cross Jesus trusted God’s path for Him and trusted that God’s plan was for good. He was patient as each piece of His journey unfolded, and leaned into God, praying for guidance, and when God said “go here” Jesus went. It took many years and lots of pain and suffering for God’s plan for Jesus to unfold, but through that time and pain, God had a plan to bring His people back into a relationship with him.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Every one of us is part of God’s design
He made all of us, and those who have chosen to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, who choose to have a relationship with God through their salvation in Christ, are all called to God’s great plan which He has paved for our good. He has the entire plan settled, and He calls us to trust Him and the road He’s made. He leads us away from our old selves, leaving behind the desire to live for ourselves and walk with Him in His ways, welcoming His spirit as our guide. We have opportunities every day to walk with God or to walk away, but no matter our choice God is prepared and His plan will always prevail.
‘Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ‘
Philippians 3:13-14
‘ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ‘
Proverbs 3:5-6
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Psalm 32:8
‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ‘
Ephesians 2:10
