TITLE: Detoured Dreams By Janice Stotz 06/10/11 |
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The detouring of my perfectly, planned out dreams is a daily struggle for me. In searching for God’s purpose for my life, I am wondering why He has given me passion for things I can’t pursue. There is an authentic struggle in trying to find one’s way. As I work to overcome these struggles I discover how God works in my life.
*Father, you can see me struggling to find my way. I’m coming before you, because I want to discover your purpose for my life.
I find myself wondering if there isn’t more out there for me. I admit to longing for greater adventure, new opportunities, and to pursue the passions God has placed in my heart. Unfortunately some of these dreams require resources (money and time freedom) exhausted at the moment, so I can’t help wondering if the timing is wrong, or the dreams are not meant for me after all.
*Father, I know you have an awesome plan for me. You have declared those plans, to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future.
What if what God wants for me isn’t what I want or planned for my life? A scary thought. He may want me to stay in a job I’m not crazy about, speak in public to large audiences, or confront my fear of heights! Whatever it is God has planned for me, I know I will definitely need His help.
*I’m trusting that you will help me with this God. Show me , step by step, so I can grasp it all. And mostly God, if what I want isn’t what you want for my life, then change my mind. I want a purpose-filled life!
It is a slow process to discover God’s plan. He only reveals a short distance of the road ahead, like a dim flashlight on a dark, winding road. I have learned painful lessons in the detours and bumps encountered along the way. The one and only thing I can do is trust, trust God to show me what to do next, and get out of the way so He can work. God works by preparing my heart for His service when I abide in His Word, praise Him and pray.
*Thank you Lord , for being there to help me, one day at a time, even when I am afraid of where you might lead me.
I’m not exactly where I thought I would be. A lot of my dreams have had to be redirected in some way. Hope has had to be renewed through Christ my savior. And time and time again, I have had to run to my heavenly Father, crawl onto His lap for awhile, as He listens to my heart’s cry.
The Holy Spirit gives me strength to keep seeking and dreaming , for He gives me the passions and desires of my heart to do the things He has called me to do. He redirects my path, taking me from the detour, and shows me a signpost alongside the road pointing to hope. God gave me my dreams, but it’s His plan. When I find peace in that and allow Him to direct my paths, I suspect there will be fewer if any struggles. No, I’m not there yet, but my detours have reminded me that my perfectly, planned out dreams are really in God’s perfect plans for me.
*Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6
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