A Realization – Part 2

Friends, I began seeing the path God was readying for me.  Imagine yourself walking through the forest not sure which way to go, constantly weaving in and out of trees to avoid obstacles.  As you walk, fog blankets over you and everything around you.  Your visibility begins to diminish.  You come to an overhang of weeping willow trees.  Through the bowing limbs, you see a sign before what appears to be a path.  You push limbs and leaves away to find there are words carved into the sign.  It is very old.  As you run your fingers over the letters, you feel a breeze.  The letters are familiar, but fog prevents you from reading them.  

There’s the breeze again.  The fog is gently blown away, and the willow limbs part.  You try again to focus on the sign.  Shock seeps into your body, as you stand frozen.  The sign is carved with your name – first, middle, and last.  There is no mistaking it.  That is you.  The breeze continues, and the limbs are swept away to reveal the path.  It is for you.   You know it.  

But being cautious, you are afraid.  You edge closer and stretch your neck out as far as you can.  Plunging waterfalls, fields of fragrant wildflowers, exquisite mountaintops, soft green moss beds, and towering trees are just a few of delights to be found along the path.  No person has ever walked this path.  As a matter of fact, no one but God knew it existed – until now, until you.  This is the path that God carved out with His own hands specifically for you.  Sounds pretty amazing but true.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 emphasis added)  

God does have something just that amazing planned for you.  He is calling you now to follow His plan.  Are you listening?  Is there something in your heart you feel God is calling you to do?  Maybe you’re not so sure.  Do you get butterflies every time you hear a missionary share their stories of serving God?  Maybe it’s a longing you have every time someone stands up to share a beautiful song.  Perhaps you think, “I could do that,” when you hear a speaker share their testimony. 

God has a plan for each of us.  His plan for you will involve something to further His kingdom.  God’s ultimate plan for the world is that all will hear the gospel of Christ and come to have fellowship with Him.  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. (John 6:40)  

You are a part of that plan whether you are aware of it or not.  Sometimes the plans we have made for ourselves are not what God had in mind.  Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19: 21)  

Oh, how this verse speaks to me.  I am a planner.  The smell of a new daily organizer, and the sight of the rows of lines and blank squares make my heart beat a little faster.  I love to pour over my planner and fill in the lines with trips, deadlines, and errands.  Something about seeing all the squares fill up makes me feel important, like I’m doing something.  Honestly, none of my plans are really important when compared to the plans of our Lord.  That verse in Proverbs could read, Many are the plans in Carol’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.  Could you substitute your name in that verse, too? 

If we make ourselves available to the Lord, He will use us.  He will reveal His specific plan for you if you ask.  The plan God created for you wasn’t something He thought of only yesterday when you told Him you loved missionaries.  God’s plan for you was created long before that and hasn’t changed with time. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11) 

Back up with me in your own experiences.  When did God come up with His ultimate plan for you?  Can you see the threads God has woven through your life to create that perfect plan? 

Take time today to reflect on your life.  Do you feel lost in the woods just looking for the sign with your name?  What things do you love to do?  Do you know your spiritual gifts?  Could you be using those to help fulfill God’s ultimate plan of bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world?  There are many free spiritual gifts surveys online.  If you are unaware of your gifts, take some time to complete one today. 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

 

**You may recognize part of this post as one from New Year’s Eve.  It was taken from my book Woven.  Thanks for reading!