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What do I have to do for it?


Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.”  Even though this is the most popular part of that chapter, it goes on to say in verse 12, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord…

I feel convicted in my spirit because I know better, but I just get caught up with the dreaming and hoping and future part.  I desire a home for my family, a thriving career, healthy children and sure, some material things to enjoy.  I know that God has wonderful things in store for me, but I wonder if there is something I can do to “hurry” the process along a bit.  “Lord, I know you have plans for me, but can you let me in on your time table?” I find myself asking.  In my years of loving the Lord and being loved by Him, I could see Him just shaking His head.  He just doesn’t operate on my time and He certainly doesn’t ask for my help in making His plans a manifestation.   I know what He wants.  He desires me to trust Him more than anything.  I don’t know the plans exactly, but I know He does.  We’ve been here before. This isn’t our first mission together.  We’ve been a team for a long time.  I know the Scriptures and can quote at least ten of them right now that’ll put me to shame.

1)      Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

2)      Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those he loves.  Psalm 127

3)      If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.  John 15:7

4)      For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.  From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.  I will ever praise you. Psalm 71:5

5)      Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

6)      “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

7)      For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

8)      We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.  If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.  Romans 12:6

9)      Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imaging, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20

10)   And last but certainly not least… 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



What do I have to do for it?  Believe; Trust; Pray; Praise; Expect; Prepare; Wait.  There isn’t a whole lot that God asks of us.  And sometimes these answers don’t feed our To-Do List society.  Waiting is quite unpopular.  Praying feels like we’re not doing anything but talking to ourselves.  Believing, trusting, expecting seems like we’re twiddling our thumbs looking outside the window.  Praising feels forced, as we prepare for what?  We don’t see how anything is really changing or moving. 

And so the cycle begins again.  We must delve into the scriptures to correct our misinformed mind of how to exist and live during this time.  We have to beat it into ourselves, if necessary.  Back to #1. 

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