There is a time for everything. We read a whole list of things there is a time for in Ecclesiastes and we could come up with our own list as well. These times come and go but what I’ve noticed is we never see when they are coming.
Ecclesiastes 3:11,(MSG) God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, weather he is coming or going.
In my life right now I’m kind of catching on to the fact that I never really am going to figure out what the heck God is doing. I never know what the times I am experiencing are really producing in me. But I can believe and hold on to the promise that everything God is doing will become beautiful in its time.
I am experiencing firsthand what it is like to have plans, good plans, exciting plans, and plans that make sense, be completely turned around and changed because of God’s leading.
As humans desiring to seek Gods will and purpose, we still get it wrong sometimes even if our heart is after God. Our emotion, feelings, understanding, and perception can often make our plans seem like what God would want for us, when sometimes what God wants for us makes absolutely no sense. His plan doesn’t always align with how we feel, with how we perceive a situation, or with our understanding. Sometimes God’s plan is plain crazy! His ways are higher and his thoughts are wilder than we can imagine.
But we will have peace in the midst of the crazy plan of God, and that’s how we will know that God is not just trying to make things difficult or confusing, he is actually fulfilling our purpose here on earth.
God gives us free will because of love, so we ultimately can decide what path we take and who’s plan to follow, ours or his. But God has placed a purpose on our lives and that is what he wants to fulfill. So weather we don’t totally go to God before making a decision, if we make a decision based off of feeling or our own understanding, God’s purpose can still be accomplished.
God is not caught off guard by our plans and the paths we take, He is with us, He is for us. He is always there to point us in the best direction if we ask him. We have the creator of the world leading us through the world that He overcame. HE KNOWS HOW TO LEAD!
But once I finally start to ask God what I should do and he tells me and I don’t understand, I sometimes wish I never asked him in the first place. Because my plans seemed to make more sense, and at least I could foresee where I was going. To be honest that is how I feel sometimes! Especially right now.
God is leading me somewhere, he is asking me to be extremely patient, and he is asking me to have Joy in the midst of it. He is asking me to give up what I think is my greatest desire so that He can lead me into what is actually better for me. And it is HARD!
Some days are great and I have Joy and the Peace of God covers me. But other days I’m like God where are you!? What are you doing? Why are you doing whatever you are doing? And can you just tell me already where I am going? That is faith. The hope of things unseen, because why would we hope for something that we can see?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 Also, he has placed Eternity into man’s heart.
I think that is why we will always have this longing for more, for more life, for more peace, and contentment, because it is not in this world. It is in Eternity. We were created for Eternity and will never stop hoping and having faith in what we cannot see until we see Him in Eternity.
God has a purpose, and He knows how to lead. I just need to follow. Regardless of my feelings, my ideas, my ways and plans, God Knows how to fulfill his purpose and only in a way that is good for me.
Thank you Jesus, that in the midst of this time where everything is shifting around me, you remain faithful, you remain steadfast please help me to follow you, help me to not give up hope in the things that are unseen to me at this time. Help me to endure like you endured the cross because of the joy you knew was coming. I believe there is greater things, and a greater joy coming for me than I can see right now and every morning give me the strength to get up out of my bed and go to work putting my complete trust in you. I will press on, and I can do all things with you!
By Emily Hopf
Ecclesiastes 3:11,(MSG) God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he’s left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, weather he is coming or going.
In my life right now I’m kind of catching on to the fact that I never really am going to figure out what the heck God is doing. I never know what the times I am experiencing are really producing in me. But I can believe and hold on to the promise that everything God is doing will become beautiful in its time.
I am experiencing firsthand what it is like to have plans, good plans, exciting plans, and plans that make sense, be completely turned around and changed because of God’s leading.
As humans desiring to seek Gods will and purpose, we still get it wrong sometimes even if our heart is after God. Our emotion, feelings, understanding, and perception can often make our plans seem like what God would want for us, when sometimes what God wants for us makes absolutely no sense. His plan doesn’t always align with how we feel, with how we perceive a situation, or with our understanding. Sometimes God’s plan is plain crazy! His ways are higher and his thoughts are wilder than we can imagine.
But we will have peace in the midst of the crazy plan of God, and that’s how we will know that God is not just trying to make things difficult or confusing, he is actually fulfilling our purpose here on earth.
God gives us free will because of love, so we ultimately can decide what path we take and who’s plan to follow, ours or his. But God has placed a purpose on our lives and that is what he wants to fulfill. So weather we don’t totally go to God before making a decision, if we make a decision based off of feeling or our own understanding, God’s purpose can still be accomplished.
God is not caught off guard by our plans and the paths we take, He is with us, He is for us. He is always there to point us in the best direction if we ask him. We have the creator of the world leading us through the world that He overcame. HE KNOWS HOW TO LEAD!
But once I finally start to ask God what I should do and he tells me and I don’t understand, I sometimes wish I never asked him in the first place. Because my plans seemed to make more sense, and at least I could foresee where I was going. To be honest that is how I feel sometimes! Especially right now.
God is leading me somewhere, he is asking me to be extremely patient, and he is asking me to have Joy in the midst of it. He is asking me to give up what I think is my greatest desire so that He can lead me into what is actually better for me. And it is HARD!
Some days are great and I have Joy and the Peace of God covers me. But other days I’m like God where are you!? What are you doing? Why are you doing whatever you are doing? And can you just tell me already where I am going? That is faith. The hope of things unseen, because why would we hope for something that we can see?
Ecclesiastes 3:11 Also, he has placed Eternity into man’s heart.
I think that is why we will always have this longing for more, for more life, for more peace, and contentment, because it is not in this world. It is in Eternity. We were created for Eternity and will never stop hoping and having faith in what we cannot see until we see Him in Eternity.
God has a purpose, and He knows how to lead. I just need to follow. Regardless of my feelings, my ideas, my ways and plans, God Knows how to fulfill his purpose and only in a way that is good for me.
Thank you Jesus, that in the midst of this time where everything is shifting around me, you remain faithful, you remain steadfast please help me to follow you, help me to not give up hope in the things that are unseen to me at this time. Help me to endure like you endured the cross because of the joy you knew was coming. I believe there is greater things, and a greater joy coming for me than I can see right now and every morning give me the strength to get up out of my bed and go to work putting my complete trust in you. I will press on, and I can do all things with you!
By Emily Hopf