Last week as I was walking, I took this picture. The same evening my pastor asked me to put this verse in our church newsletter. As I was searching the internet for this verse with a picture, none really spoke to me. However, this picture that I had taken earlier came to mind. So I paired the two together. I think this picture and verse go together so well. Sometimes, all I can see are the “bare trees” in my life. I fail to see the “Son” shining through what I consider to be barren. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite promises from the Lord. When I see difficulties, hopelessness, lack of purpose, and disappointment in my life, my Lord is still declaring “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I’m so thankful that He is sovereign, and that I can truly say “God’s got this”. I have hope, purpose, joy… even when things are difficult and disappointing. I have a future with my Lord!
Please know dear friends that you can claim this promise in your life too if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior! He is in control and has our best interest in mind! This past Friday, I did something as I was leaving home to go to work that I considered to be really stupid on my part. This “stupid” thing involved my car, and my thinking that something serious was wrong with the car. So I turned around, come home and switched to our truck. Later that evening, I realized that the “serious” problem wasn’t a problem at all. I kept thinking about how dumb I had been until the following evening when the Lord kind of shouted out to me that although I thought what I did was stupid; it was possibly Him keeping me from harm instead. What I considered to be an inconvenience and aggravating, could possibly have saved my life. God has promised me that He has plans for my life. I may not understand them all- like last Friday, but I know He has my best interest in mind! His good plan, purpose, and future for my life far outweigh anything I could possibly imagine! For that, I am thankful!
I love the picture and Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse from the Bible. I too have seen how the Lord has allowed me to take a side road or venture slightly off the beaten path only to teach me a lesson, allow me to experience an unexpected blessing or show me how I can be a blessing to someone else. He is always looking out for our best interests.