By Brother Matthew Henson
My wife and I have two children graduating this year: one from university (Micah) and one from high school (Isaiah). These milestones cause me to become introspective and sentimental as I remember when they were born. I took them in my arms, introduced myself, and prayed, “Lord, thank you for this gift. I give them back to you, praying they will be the man you want them to be and follow you wherever you lead them.” I wanted God’s plan to be the guiding principle for their lives, and as I watch them hit these milestones, I witness the faithfulness of God to call them to wonderful opportunities.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you.” This passage which is often read at graduations and placed on invitations, is often taken in an individualistic view. We see the word, “You,” in the English translation, and we automatically consider this as a personal plan God has for a person’s life. Yet, the Hebrew word used in the original text is plural. It is less about the individual and more about the “You all,” of a community.
Throughout the Scriptures, we witness God’s plan being worked out in certain people groups, communities, and throughout the world. John 3:16 begins with, “For God so loved the world…” The emphasis on the community is the reminder of our God who lives in relationship and desires a relationship with us. God’s plan is steeped in relationship, inviting us to participate in this plan for our lives.
The struggle is how often we fight against God’s plan, seeking to live into our plan for our lives. In Louie Giglio’s book, I Am Not but I know I Am, he writes about these plans using the image of story. He writes, “We can choose to cling to starring roles in the little-bitty stories of us, or we can exchange our fleeting moment in the spotlight for a supporting role in the eternally beautiful epic that is the Story of God” (Page 15). The plan God has becomes supreme as we surrender our ways for His ways and begin to take our place in His story of salvation, life, and eternity.
How do you see your life playing into the plan God has for us as a community and world? How do you see your part in the plan being part of God’s call on your individual life as you play a role in the fullness of God’s plan that all would come to be in relationship with Him?
God has a plan for us and through His grace and mercy, He provides a way for us to be part of this plan. It is an invitation that is accepted through our surrender of our plan, so that His plan is our guiding light to show us the way.
Prayer: Lord, I surrender my plan so that your plan can be lived out in me. Light my way to your path and plan, and remind me of the importance of relationship and community in your plan. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
