“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).
Don’t you love this promise from the book of Jeremiah? It’s an oft-quoted, embroidered, and framed verse, and for good reason. Who doesn’t love the assurance of prosperity, hope, and a future? And while yes, these words were specifically spoken to the children of Israel while in exile from Jerusalem, they shine a revealing light into God’s heart for all of His children.
In high school, I remember carefully taping a pink notecard inside my locker, these precious words scribbled on it in innocent adolescent handwriting. And when it was time to head to college, many of the graduation cards I received made note of this promise, reminding me of what “big things” God surely had in store.
In those days, I had no reason to doubt such wonderful words—would God’s plans include medical school or law school? What perfect, magical husband would He send me? How amazing and world-changing would our children be?
Yes, in those days, it was as if God didn’t need to remind me that He is the keeper of those plans, for surely they will line up with what I have already planned out in my own mind!
As I look back now with the vantage of time and deeper maturity, I wonder if God smiled at my bubbly naiveté—and winced a little at knowing that soon enough I would begin to learn the simple yet difficult truth about His plans …
… they are rarely, if ever, the ones I have in mind.
This month, Aaron and I celebrated our 12th anniversary. I’ve been thinking a lot about marriage, as I tend to do this time of year. And truthfully, reflecting on these years leaves me with a mix of joy and sadness.
Make no mistake, God has done great things for us. My heart swells with thanksgiving at how He has taken care of me each step of the way.
He has performed miracles, provided strength in the weakest of times, given refreshment in the driest of deserts, acted as shelter in the most blistering of fires. There have been good, good things. But these years have not escaped the sting of intense pain.
Heartaches that my college-self never could have imagined.
Conflict. Betrayal. Infertility. Loneliness. Autism.
No, for these things I never planned, nor did I imagine God would either. In the midst of uncertainty and fear, the words of Jeremiah’s lifeline promise can feel like a heavy weight. In churning waters, it becomes all too easy to hang our heads and conclude these words must apply to someone other than me.
But dear reader, do you know that nothing could be further from the truth? The enemy loves to send out his sinister whispers, suggesting that we land just shy of every good thing God purposes for His people. Don’t fall for this lie.
When our doubt is the loudest, we must hold onto truth the fiercest.
Time and again lately, God is teaching me that it all boils down to a simple, sometimes excruciatingly difficult choice: do I really trust Him? And will I choose to trust Him?
When the words of Jeremiah 29:11 seem impossible in the context of our circumstances, will we decide to place our hand in His and keep on trusting anyway?
Personally, the simple, loaded question of why trips me up more than anything. It’s a heavy question to ask sometimes, right? I think of my son and his autism and the manifestation of that diagnosis in his little life … and I brace for the day his big brown eyes look into mine and ask why, mom? Why did this happen to me?
I don’t know, my love—I don’t know the specifics and the intricate details of why…but what do I know? Everything that happens to us will ultimately weave its way into a tapestry created for God’s glory and our very best.
Perhaps today you are struggling with your own why?
Why cancer? Or divorce? Or job loss? Or infertility? Why this pain?
I believe it is in these darkest of places that God intended to whisper the words of Jeremiah 29:11. The nation of Israel certainly wasn’t heading off to college with the world at her fingertips, bright shiny future laid out ahead.
No, God gave Jeremiah these words at a time when His chosen people found themselves exiled, cut off from Jerusalem—living in a foreign land, facing a future they’d never imagined.
When the dark comes, when the pain comes, dear reader, choose trust. He is longing for us to believe, to trust Him enough to set aside our doubts and cling to His promises. They are enough.
He is enough.
Blessings,
Oh so true, when all is “going our way” we can sail on through. It’s when it’s not, we so need the reminder and refreshment of the fact there’s a deeper or different plan laid out by the one who loves us more than we can comprehend. And it’s those we work with we become most connected to, not those we play with, from simple tasks with kids, to bigger projects at home, work, in ministry, to walking through tragedies big or small. Thank you!
So, so true!! Pain can connect us to God and to each other in ways easier/happy times never can! And then those connections make the happy times all the more rich. Miss seeing you and your bright smiling face! <3
If my comment cones twice, sorry. I wrote something and then it disappeared.
Thank you for sharing this. You are a beautiful writer. I often think about the reason that things happen. Why does Remy have epilepsy and go through so much suffering. I don’t know but I do know I am stronger because of it. I know that God wanted to shape me because I was complacent and lazy in life.
Remy had a seizure 2 minutes before I got your message about your new post.
Boy are your words coming at a good time because today will be tough and your encouragement is going to get me through. Thank you for sharing.
Thinking of you.
Also happy anniversary. 12 years is a huge accomplishment
Jody, I am so sorry that Remy just had a seizure this morning–I am praying for you both right now! You are such a beautiful example of a life shaped by the good and bad times. So many times people become bitter/angry/resentful, but you carry within you such a light. You are inspiring, I could tell that from the first time I met you! Thinking of you, strong mama. Miss you! <3