Thursday, March 24

I followed God’s plan 

“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 

This has always been a favorite Bible verse of mine, and still today it centers me. Perhaps it is the fact that the word “plan” is actually mentioned three times. You see, I am a planner. I don’t know if I have always been that way, but I know since I reached adulthood that has been the case. In fact, I’m such a planner my family and close friends know that I even plan my free time. However, my plans are not always God’s plans, and my way does not always lead to prosperity.

I can remember a time in college, when I was unsure of what direction my life would take. I was majoring in biology and couldn’t decide what to do with my degree. I was searching for answers and even though I was feeling a calling to go into teaching, my plans took a slightly different turn. I planned at the time to pursue a biology naturalist degree and signed up to do an internship with the National Park Service. I was completing my internship in the world’s oldest national park, for naturalists a coveted place to be, Yellowstone National Park. Although I was awestruck daily by the majestic landscapes, quite frankly, I was not happy, and my heart was not in the job.

I was following my plans for my life, but when I took time to listen and follow God’s plan I was led to teaching. Now, I spend time each day talking with students about their plans for their own futures.

Having all my events planned out brings me comfort. But what grounds me and lifts my spirit is knowing that as I walk my daily path, if I listen to God’s plans then I have hope —hope for a better tomorrow and plans for eternal life with our God.

Dear God, thank you for all the plans you have made for me. Amen. 

Tonya Brinegar-German