Praising Him in the Silence

Why am I here? What is my purpose on this earth? What is God's plan for me?

I find myself asking these questions a lot here lately. I have prayed and prayed for God to take control of my life and lead me in the right direction. I definitely feel like God is preparing me for something big. A big move, a big step, a big change. But, I am not exactly sure what.

I have these quick glimpses of what I think my future may look like. In every glimpse I am surrounded with children. Ya'll...I am so passionate about children. If you know me personally, you know that I have always loved kids, even when I was a kid myself. I know that whatever God's plan is for me, it is to be working with children.

One of the main things that I have been struggling with lately is whether or not I am interpreting God's message correctly. I wonder if I am interpreting His words with an 'earth filled' mind. Am I the only one who wishes God would send down a big, red, flashing sign that says, "HERE IS YOUR PURPOSE!" Because, seriously...that would be nice.

In my devotional, Wholeheartedly, there have been several studies that have spoke to me. Really, this is some good stuff. Here are a few highlights of what I have taken from these lessons.

SILENCE: *God will allow us to have a glimpse of the big plan every once in awhile to strengthen our faith. It has been my prayer that in this silence, in this time of wondering, that God will help me to be still and rejoice because I know that God has a great plan in store. Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage.

FAITHFUL: When I have faith in God and in His plan for my life, I find myself at peace with all the crazy and all the uncertainties. Trusting in God's perfect plan takes away the stress and worry. Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

GUIDE: The Lord will be my guide always, I just have to stay close to Him and His word. *Our job is to listen and obey. The more responsive we are to the Holy Spirit's guiding, the more we will hear what he is saying. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your spirit lead me on level ground. Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong.

OBEY: *To obey is to submit to the command of another and coming from God, the command will always be for our own good. No matter how scary God's plan for me may be, I know that it is for my own good and ultimately for His glory. Luke 11:28 Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.

HOPE: *We need to acknowledge His almighty power and his ability to use us even through our missteps in life. I have often wondered if somewhere along the way I have messed up and did not do something God wanted me to do, because I know that I have messed up a whole lot in this short life I have lived. Is that why I am kind of stuck in this silence? Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (I had to google that word...it means prevented.) Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Ya'll, that last verse. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." God will wreck your plans, to fulfill His. No matter how many times you have messed up in this life, God still has a plan for you. You still have a purpose on this earth. Pray, walk closer with God, read His word and that purpose will be revealed to you.