Today’s Reading
“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 (NIV)
I had what one might call an epiphany one morning when I was in Indiana that reminded me of another time and place. The previous July, when I was working in Colorado Springs, I was having a difficult time “feeling” God’s presence in my life. At the time it felt like God was far away and I was not doing what He had called me to do. Maybe I was lonely or simply confused about my future.
I remember feeling like a child who had lost sight of his parent in a store, looking around as if everything was strange and unfamiliar, calling out for my Father to find me. As I called out in prayer, I looked up and two large deer came up over the ridge into full view in front of my window. One of the big bucks just stood there looking at me. A feeling came over me that even though I do not always see or feel God, this was His reminder that He is always present. I may not always see Him but He is very close at hand, always right within reach. All I need to do is trust that He is there – always there –to be a guide for my life.
After we had moved to Indiana, I had forgotten that message and lost sight of God’s constant presence in my life. One morning, I was praying again for Him to show Himself to me, to remind me of the plan He has so that I can be at ease – that I am doing His will and not my own. After my prayer time, I went out to get the paper from the mailbox and as I turned around, standing less than 30 feet from me were two deer in my backyard. They were standing there just looking at me – just like the buck back in Colorado Springs. For the next few minutes we stood there looking at each other. I couldn’t believe that we had deer in our backyard, as we did not have any woods in the neighborhood.
After they moved on, it hit me – God sent me my reminder. It was nothing more than two deer in our backyard to the kids but to me it was the reminder of the lesson He taught me in Colorado Springs. He is always there. Even though He most often uses His Word – the Bible – to talk to us, He can use any method He wants. He can and will show us the way if we are patient and wait for His plan and for time. Even though we do not know His complete plan for each of us, there is a plan and He will keep building and shaping us to fulfill that great and beautiful plan.
Reflection
Think about a time where you have lost sight of God and He showed you something as a reminder to let you know He is always there. Thank Him for having “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Prayer
Thank you Lord for Your constant guidance and reminders. Father, may I never lose heart and forget that you are always with me. You see everything that is going on in my life and I can rest in that assurance that you know all and will help when the time is right and best for me and your glory. Amen.