He's Got a Plan!

"‘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 )

Are you wondering what to do with your life? Do people ask you what you want to be when you grow up? Maybe you have no idea! But that’s okay—because God has a plan for you. And it’s a good plan! He plans for you to grow and thrive. His plans include good things like peace and welfare—not disaster and evil. He has plans to give you hope—something good to look forward to in the future. His hope is more than just wishing for something. Having God’s hope means you expect a good future and wait for it with anticipation, like a child waiting for Christmas.

You go to visit your aunt out west every summer, and you look forward to it all year. You know she has a good plan for your summer visit. You've experienced many fun things every time you visited there. Once you explored Indian ruins and met a Native American girl who showed you how to make turquoise jewelry. Once you went white water rafting with a guide and saw the most spectacular scenery. What would this summer’s trip be like? You had no idea, but you knew it was going to be good. You trust your aunt—and you’re not disappointed. When you step out of the car, you’re met with the news that you’ll be spending a week at horse camp, learning to ride—something you’ve always wanted to do.

Sometimes we find it easier to trust people we can see than to trust God. But God never lies, and God is love. We don’t always know or understand his long-term plans for our lives, but we know every idea God has for us comes from love. We can trust him. We can look forward to our future with joyful anticipation.

Be excited! The God of the universe has a very special, very unique life just for you.