Plans

Last night at the group home I had only two girls attend Bible Study. I think it may be one of the sweetest times we have ever had. With such a small group, I played my favorite Bible Study game: If you could ask God anything what would it be?

Of course their questions were heart-wrenching:
Why am I here?
What does God have for me?
Will I ever get my old, fun life back?
Has God forgotten about me?

In light of their circumstances (removed from their families, living in the care of the state) the questions seemed especially tragic. Yet, as I quickly turned to verses about the Sovereignty and plans of God, I was struck by how common their hearts' cries actually are. Haven't we all felt the weight of those questions on our heart?

I turned to Jeremiah 29 and read the following passage to those sweet girls from the Message translation:
This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.
When you come looking for me, you'll find me.
Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.
I'll turn things around for you... You can count on it."
Jeremiah 29:10-14 (The Message Translation)

With tears in her eyes, one of the girls asked me to read it again. I did. Then I read it a third time for emphasis. :-) (I also sent a printed copy to each of them today--just for good measure.)

Our circumstances likely look quite different, but out hearts have a lot in common: a longing for love, purpose, a place and a plan. My guess is that many women reading this tonight also need to be reminded of the way God honored His promises all those years ago. I know it blessed my heart!

"When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."