Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for hope and a future.”
That word PLAN – is one that really resonates with me and most women. A plan is defined as steps with details to achieve a certain goal or objective. Just saying that out loud makes me happy. I love a good plan.
As women we are always planning – planning the days’ activities, the holiday festivities and long term goals for ourselves and those we love. Planning events for Women’s Ministry here at Johnson Ferry is the same in many ways. We pour our hearts into every detail, desiring to bring each of you a time of fun community, teaching and worship. And then – we wait…we wait to see how our plans plays out. Here is the best part while we wait to see how it all plays out – we are expectant. That means that we are waiting with confidence for what we trust God to do. You see we have the benefit of knowing how faithful God has been in the past and that allows us to wait expectantly for what He will do in the future. We rest in His faithfulness.
The plans we have worked to complete to make these events meaningful have no eternal value. But the plans talked about in Jeremiah 29:11 are the plans of a sovereign God. His plans are great in power and…… ultimate control and authority. That’s what being sovereign means.
So I would like to invite each of us to let go of our man-made human plans during this next few days and focus on the plans of the sovereign God of the universe. To prepare for this time. I would suggest that we use this acrostic of the plan.
Pause – Be still (stop and think about ……)
Listen – quiet thoughts and give attention to God in order to hear Him
Anticipate-an encounter with God (expect something)
Nestle – settle in, rest yourself in a safe place. Protected.
Snuggle in with the Sovereign God of the universe and receive what He has planned for you today. Allow God to nourish your weary soul.
Merry Christmas!
Marsha Crowe
