Friday, April 12
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13 In a world saturated with things such as social media and cable news, it is easy to find yourself straying from the Lord and his device. Being constantly reminded of your flaws, other’s flaws, and the tragedies that go on in the world not only hurt your relationship with yourself, but also with the Lord. The passage above highlights “God’s Plan,” one of prosperity and not of evil. God envisions for us a flourishing life: one where we need not be attached to worldly possessions, and one where we have found the Lord. However, it is easy to doubt the Lord in one’s journey to Faith. Everyone has encountered doubt in their lives, but that does not stop us from attempting to truly seek the Lord with all of our heart. Every day, we have the opportunity to commit ourselves to God, and we can either take one step towards Him, or one step away from Him. In making this decision, we are choosing to live the life God wants for us—one of welfare. I do not conceive welfare in the colloquial sense. I think that welfare means living a life that is devoted to God through love, joy and faithfulness. Miles Gardner (age 16)
How might you take one step toward God today, toward love, joy, and faithfulness? Holy God, help us to place our trust in you, not in the things and esteem of the world so that we can always walk toward you and your plan for our lives and this world. Amen.