God’s Personal Plan For You
Have you ever felt that you were meant for more than mundane, day-to-day life? Sometimes in conjunction with a sense of high calling, we mortals feel unqualified for that altruistic purpose deep inside of us. We all struggle with this incongruence: “It’s too late, I’m too old, too young, not smart enough, not spiritual enough, etc., etc., etc.”
You Were Meant For Greatness
However, beneath such oppositional thinking lies a deep yearning for a meaningful endeavor, an undertaking with cosmic implications and eternal consequences. I believe that you were meant for greatness. Each of us has a God-given desire to make a difference in the world, to have an impact and leave a legacy for future generations.When I was a young girl, I remember a still, small voice inside me, drawing me to pursue a mission with and for God. I just did not know how to proceed, how to accomplish anything grand enough. In my late teens, after a powerful encounter with Jesus, the Bible began to make an impression on me, and Jeremiah 29:11 came alive:“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says the Lord, “thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”It continually amazes me that God knows each of us individually. Just as He has given us fingerprints that match no other person’s, He has wonderful, personal plan for each of us. His intentions, purposes, and destinations are singular and designed for each of us. This cornucopia of blessings includes a future that is positive and full of His shalom (peace).Of course, the key is a prayerful, personal relationship with Him, Mashiach Ben David—Jesus the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. All of the meaning and goodness begins in relationship with Him. The mystery of how all this sanctification takes place is FAITH! We need to believe in Him. In turn, He will individualize our path.For me, the Book of Ruth has been one of the most personal and vocal Scriptures. It is one of only two books in the Bible named for a woman (Esther is the other), and it is full of hope and truth for us. The Book of Ruth is a wonderful gift for those of us who are joined to the Jewish people through faith. From it we learn about the process of loss, love, and legacy.Although only four chapters long, Ruth speaks to us today of the days of the judges and their application to life in every era since. The journey of Ruth, her mother-inlaw Naomi, and the family is an eternal picture of our journey into God, His house of bread, and His provision. The story of Ruth is a magnificent picture of God’s love for us and His incredible eternal personal plan for each of us.