We were traveling through farm country when these huge windmills popped up on the horizon. As we drew closer, we realized that the windmills were HUGE!
The windmills, along with the vast open fields rolling with corn, made me feel small. Very small. God also felt big. Very big ~ and a bit a far away as we drove mile after mile… after mile…after mile…
But, Scripture tells us:
“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 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 search for Me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13
If you’ve been a believer for very long, Jeremiah 29:11 probably is familiar to you. If you’ve ever been to a Christian bookstore, you can find this verse on numerous cards, plaques, coffee cups, knickknacks, etc.
I think this verse is so popular because sometimes you feel so small and insignificant, while God can sometimes seem so mighty or far away. Verse 11 reminds you that you are not here by accident, that God is in control, and that He has a plan for your life.
Somehow knowing that God has a plan for your life makes the uncertainty of this world less scary. The Creator of the universe, after all, has your back!
I like verse 11, but I love verses 12 and 13. Not only does my Creator and Almighty God have plans for me, but He will listen to me? How is this possible? Why would He bother to listen to me? If I seek Him with all my heart, I will find Him?
The One in charge of all things makes a promise to me? God Almighty will be there when I call on Him? Isn’t He kind of busy with more important things?
I simply cannot wrap my head around these truths. Why would almighty God care about tiny, insignificant me?
I don’t get it, but since I believe that the Bible contains the true Word of God, I am forced to put my brain aside and allow these words to be true in my heart. God doesn’t lie, so today’s passage must be true.
Pick up a pen and paper and write these verses with your name and the correct pronoun (he/she). Read the passage again with your name in the blanks below:
For I know the plans that I have for _________,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give _________ a future and a hope. Then ________will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to __________. __________ will seek Me and find Me when he/she searches for Me with all his/her heart.
Let these promises sink deep into your heart for a few minutes.
Now doesn’t life just seem less intimidating? The Creator of the universe has plans for you. He listens to you. He will be there when you call on Him. With God, you will be able to get through whatever life throws at you.
Sometimes the revelation of His care for me makes me want to fall down on my knees in awe and humility. Sometimes His care makes me want to jump up and down for joy! One of my girlfriends says this type of thing makes her want to run!
What is your reaction to these promises? Do you think God has plans for you? Do you think God listens to you?