God Loves You! He Has Plans For Your Life

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)

Today, I saw something for the very first time. I am shocked that I missed a secret for an abundant life.

Three times the word "plans" are stated NOT "plan".

I realise I had always seen what I wanted to see. A plan. One plan. One road. One destination...

One city to go to and settle in. One career to master...

My life has definitely been one of multiple routes and adventures and careers... loss and heartbreak!

This may seem trivial, but it is very far from that.

How could I have missed it?

God has PLANS for me. And even backup plans!

God has plans for you...

Not just one single boring road;)

But many mountains, rivers, valleys... meeting many people. Encountering many giants and challenges - meeting with both failure and success...

What we do know is that God's plans are to prosper us - maybe we have to hang in there for "70 years" as the Israelite's had to, while in slavery.

God looks at the bigger picture and sees the final outcomes of experiencing oneness with God, having a hope and a future.

Let us not be discouraged when we don't see the instant evidence of His promises. Can you wait for 70 years? Or maybe 35 or 3.5 years?

The outcome - the timing, the places, the events, the people - are all always in His hands.

Read and re-read the story and background in Jeremiah 29. It's a very blessed message to us all and reveals a vital picture of the character of our Father, God.

The Creator. The Hope-maker. The Engineer of Life. The Future Builder... The Lover...

Yes, this message says He loves us so deeply, we are unable to plumb it's depths or even imagine the width and scope of His love.

"He brought me into His banqueting house,
His banner over me is love...
He is my beloved and I am His,
His banner over me is love...
- Old Gospel chorus ('70s) :: https://youtu.be/-SphHD8wf9Y :: The Acappella Company
For kids to praise :: https://youtu.be/tCT2ekYEpj0