Never Ending Praise The Lord

Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”

Surprise.

I’m still here.

I’m still working on preparing Armor Of God devotions but the break has been a real curve ball.

I realized something recently and while it was something of an “Aha!’ moment, I didn’t feel inclined to share… until this morning when the Holy Spirit nudged me.

I have a tendency to look for spoilers. It’s especially difficult in TV shows and books. In fact, my friends and family have often teased me about this. I’ll just be reading a book or watching a show and my mind starts thinking of all the possibilities and then I have to know how things end. I’ve even started challenging myself to just enjoy the story and wait for the surprise.

I’ll be honest though. It drives me absolutely crazy.

Please tell me there is someone else out there that struggles with this because it’s getting just a little lonely over here.

Here’s the shocker though. I’m like that with everything in life! I realized this the other day when I went down my typical google rabbit hole, trying to figure out something about a TV show I was watching. Does a certain couple end up together? Is there a love triangle? Does so and so have what’s-his-names child? As I sat there googling questions about Sullivan’s Crossing, I started thinking about how I wish I had google for my own life too.

I think I would ask questions like, “Do I become successful in life? If so, how?” and “Do I get married to an amazing Christian man?” or “Does this guy like me as much as I like him?” I think I would also ask google questions about heaven. What it’s like, what I’ll do there, and if I’ll recognize everyone I love.

Here’s the conviction I received from the Lord…

If I continue wanting to rush to the end, If I keep looking for all the answers, I won’t get to enjoy things as they unfold. Needing to know what happens only drives me crazy. There’s truly a beauty in enjoying what’s in front of you without having to know the end.

I’m going to be completely transparent here… my aha moment faded over the last several days. This morning however, in my prayer time, God gently reminded me again… “You’re too eager to know the plans I have for you. I know them. Trust me. Take a deep breath and just enjoy.”

My need to know all the things shows my lack of fulfillment. That fulfillment won’t come in the things of this world, but in Christ himself. That’s who my eyes should be on. When they’re focused on him, I get the blessing of enjoying God’s creation and all the things he’s doing in my life.

So if you struggle with this too, let me be your gentle reminder that God has you in the palm of his hand and he definitely has a plan. We just get to be surprised by how it all turns out, and there’s a peaceful joy in that.