Like many teens, I had life all figured out and had a plan for every step of the way. I knew what undergraduate and graduate schools I would attend. I knew that I wanted to work with others to “get experience” before opening my own office. I knew what kind of early-career and late-career vehicles I wanted. I knew that I wanted children. I knew where I wanted to live. Summarily, I knew it all and my plan was the best laid. Nothing would derail even the smallest portion of my track. This life-planning thing was a piece of cake!

I thought I was the author of my life. I thought I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted with no help at all. I thought that my plans were so great, that there would never be room for improvement.

Speed bump. Hurdle! Screeching halt! What happened? My plan was the best ever conceived. Surely, my goals were worthy of being reached and in the way that I planned to reach them. Right?

Not exactly.

My plan was way off course and I knew that it wouldn’t be easy to steer it back into the direction in which I wanted to go. Confident that I could move mountains, I buckled down and brought new energy into my life’s plan. Life was all about what I wanted for myself and my family and I was going to make make it just the way that I wanted.

Nowhere in my road map was there a place for God. In other words, God had no role in forging plans for my life.

But, scripture reminds me that God knew who I was before I existed, and that He had plans for my future.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

“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 (NIV)

Through the many storms when I called out to God, He answered. I wasn’t always able to see or hear His responses, so I often thought that my cries for help went unheard or unanswered. But I now recognize that He always hears and He always answers. Nonbelievers believe in gut feelings, instinct, and intuition. I believe in discernment – the ability to clearly understand what God is telling me. I believe His promises. I believe that He is faithful. I believe that He pursues us. I believe in God’s plan for me.

Heavenly Father,

I am thankful that You relentlessly pursued me even as I called out to You for help, but didn’t fully believe that You would hear me or provide answers . Despite having leaned only on my own understanding and making plans that did not include You, You were always with me. I am thankful that You helped me to understand that You are my life’s Author and that Your plans are perfect. As each layer of Your plan for my life is revealed, I am in awe at how You have moved me from where I was to where I am now. My hindsight is Your foresight. Please help me to lean less on myself and more on You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

CC

Lyrics

From where I’m standing
Lord it’s so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You’re leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can’t control

Oh, oh

When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

Oh, oh, oh, oh

From where You’re standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan
When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
I can’t wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit [x2]

One day I’ll stand before You
And look back on the life I’ve lived
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
When I’m lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You’re already there
You’re already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You’re already there
You’re already there

You are already there