I make mistakes all. the. time. I am human and I mess up. I forget things, I get tired, I become irritable. I am hard to be around sometimes. I don't always accomplish my purposes. In fact, I regularly mess up my one true purpose more times than I even care to think about. My purpose is to glorify God. As a Christian, God commands it of me in 1st Corinthians 10:31, which says, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I am not going to be able to accomplish this on my own by any means, but I think that's kind of the point. What's the point of trusting God if you have all the answers? No one has all the answers. I know I don't! Jesus died for my sins because I am a sinner. I don't deserve God's grace and I never have. That is why people say that Jesus and the personal relationship we can have with Him is the greatest Christmas gift that can be received, because I don't deserve a personal relationship with Someone so completely Holy or for my sins to be forgiven. I still can't wrap my mind around it sometimes. For me to attempt to glorify God is laughable, but it is a command. It is my purpose.
Many long and short term plans trail are under my "purpose" umbrella. Which is also a little silly when I look at Proverbs 16:9, which says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but The Lord determines his steps." I think it's important to have plans. That way at least you are lifting your feet for God to place your steps! It's heartening though, that I am not in control. I definitely have major potential to mess up my life prettttttty well. Upon further perusal of the BIble relating to this particular topic I found something SO cool. God knows what is going to happen and has known for forever. Nothing ever surprises Him and He is orchestrating everything. In Isaiah 46:10 God says, "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." How NEAT! And earlier in the book of Isaiah, Isaiah 14:24, I found a passage that says, "The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.'" Which is heartening because it lets me know, without a doubt, that no matter what I do, God has plans for me and for everyone that WILL be fulfilled. I still have free-will, but God has known what I will choose to do since the beginning of time. I may wander off-course for a little bit, but I will always be right where God knows, and has known, I will be.
The tentative plan for my life is to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and obtain a degree in broadcast journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Someday I will get married to a great guy who loves the Lord and try to be the best wife and mother possible. I will raise my children in a loving, safe home and laugh long and often. I will bring casseroles to church potlucks and volunteer to attend school field trips. I will wash dishes and fold laundry with the best of them. I will instill traditional values in my children and encourage them in whatever they choose to do. I'll attempt to read book after book, in very little spare time, nestled in a library nook with creamer and coffee. When I get older I'll invest in a stronger eyeglass prescription and start crocheting blankets for my grandchildren. I'll take up quilting like my great-grandmother Jensen, who had the quilter's equivalent of that King Midas' touch. Then I'll watch birds from my nursing home window. I'll have very powerful binoculars and know each of the bird names by heart. I'll tell stories of the past with the younger generations that come to carol or play bingo with me. I'll ask them what organization they are trying to obtain community service hours for, and encourage them to be as involved as they can in that organization. I'll write thank-yous, because I'll appreciate seeing them so much. When I pass from this life into Heaven and eternity with Jesus, my Savior, I'll want my funeral to be a happy one. Happy because they know I will be seeing Jesus face to face. Which brings me full circle. I need to give over all my plans to Jesus because I know I am powerless to make anything happen. But you know what? That is perfectly fine with me. :)
I think these last three passages flow fairly well together, and sum up this entire blog posting.
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
Psalm 33:11 "But the plans of The Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
