The Plans He Has For Us

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you. I know how most people read this verse, as a reassurance. A reassurance that nothing gets past God and that He has a good plan for His people. That He works everything for our good. And that’s true. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s true. But something occurred to me this morning. What if it also means that His plans are good for us. They are plans to prosper us and not to bring us to harm. So we should follow those plans. I’ve seen time and time again how when we step outside of His will, including the guardrails He sets up for us, it leads to pain and fruitless times. I’ve seen it in my own life and I’ve seen it in the lives of others. I’m not saying that if you follow God your life will be roses and sunshine. It won’t. I promise. There are examples in the Bible (Job for one, Paul for another) of the troubles that faithful people went through. And my family has been through plenty-during times we’ve been closely following God and times we haven’t. But when I am closely following God I have a strong tower. I have a “safe place”. My grandpa used to always say “just do what’s right”. And obviously, there are times when we just aren’t sure what that is (choosing between two jobs or to move or not move are examples) but many times we know what is right but we choose what is wrong. It rarely ends well.