“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you’, says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
I was having coffee with a friend this week and we were talking about our future goals and desires: marriage, kids, careers, education, etc… I was telling my trusted friend how impatient I was in the way my life was going. I feel like I’ve been at community college for too long. I feel like all my gal pals are on their way to getting married. (Basically, I was just complaining.) After I was done with my rant, she said something that struck a chord with me. “If God keeps me single and where I’m at until I’m 40 to do HIS will and ministry, I’m okay with that.” I was speechless. My initial response was, “I hope that’s not me when I’m 40.” (How selfish of me, right?) I have been so convicted ever since. I feel like I get caught up in the idea of the “American Dream”. No, there isn’t anything wrong with wanting those nice things for our lives; but when that’s the focus, there’s an issue. God wants to bless us. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts. But I’ve begun to realize that God’s timing is absolutely perfect. He’s preparing my heart for what’s next. He’s preparing my future husband’s heart. He’s preparing the hearts of my future bosses. So, why in the world would I want to rush that? I wrote last week how I get so caught up in the little things that are right in front of me and I don’t look to see the bigger picture. How is that stopping me from living the life God has called me to right now?
I want to go back to what my friend said. “If God keeps me single and where I’m at until I’m 40 to do HIS will and ministry, I’m okay with that.” That’s such an awesome place to be. There are many things that I am free to do right now because I don’t have a big career or children. I am so privileged to be doing God’s ministry. Yes, I do have the occasional homework assignment or cleaning my room, but there really isn’t anything that is stopping me from pursuing what God has in store for my life in ministry. I’m blessed to be serving as Awakening Church is being launched. I’m blessed to be in small groups. I’m blessed to have friends who bring up these convictions! We will never have these moments again. Once we leave our homes, jobs, etc…, our spheres of influence change. We may not get these unique opportunities to do our ministries.
So, now what? I have begun to pray the will of God for my life. I’ve been asking him to shut doors and open new ones if it’s what he wants for me. I’m asking for clarity and for friends to be holding me accountable as I’m in this time of transition. As I am doing this, I would encourage you to do the same. As I think back to how different my life would be if I were not in school, married, with kids or even in my career, I’m grateful that God has me where I’m at. This moment, right here and now, is my ministry. The people in my life. The obligations I have. This is why God’s timing is perfect. I’ve been blessed with the sphere of influence I have. No one could do what I do and I can’t do what you’re doing. As I’m on this journey to figure out what my role is, I’m excited for YOUR journey. I pray that God would bring you clarity, open and shut doors when necessary and bring people to your life to bring up these convictions. I encourage you to have someone keep you accountable in your times of transition. We can’t do this alone! Be encouraged, friends. God’s timing is perfect. He’s all knowing and is holding your life in the palm of his hand.
Author: Nicole Presley