I know that Bible verses aren't cliche...but how about popular? Not overused, because I don't think you can overuse God's word...but what about always on posters, pictures, mugs, shirts, etc etc etc within the Christian community?
This, I think, is how Jeremiah 29:11 is. Everyone loves Jeremiah 29:11. And sometimes, being the indie kid I am, I think to myself, "I need to like more obscure Bible verses so I don't look like a softcore Christian." Well that's just wrong. Because a) not one verse in the Bible is less "cool" than others, and b) who cares how I look? If that's my motivation, I'm doing it all wrong anyway.
Besides that, let's talk about Jeremiah 29:11, a verse that most Christians can't go very far without knowing.
This week, I was really frustrated by my lack of boyfriend, (which happens a lot, I assure you)...and I was really just angry when I went to bed. I was lying in my loft, staring at the ceiling (two feet above my head), and wondering why I don't have a boyfriend...just asking God why I couldn't have someone to pick me and think I was special and love me unconditionally.
Then two thoughts hit me: 1. I do have someone to do those things, His name is Jesus. 2. Jeremiah 29:11-- God knows the plans He has for me...God knows when what will happen, and His plan is infinitely better than mine.
People talk about vulnerability and how it's so hard to trust another person with your life and blah blah blah...I think it's harder to trust God with your entire life because you're just a liiiiiittle too selfish to let it go. Like, I'll give the parts of my life I don't like to him, but I'd like to keep the parts I think I've got under control. Wrong.
That's the catch with Jeremiah 29:11. God has these plans for you and they give you hope and a future (two words that are so amazing in this context)....but you have to let Him do it. You can't cling onto your plans with everything you got and say, "okay, God...anytime now."
Let go.
This is something that I am saying, but not saying I have accomplished. Not by any means. The past few days, I've been waking up, commiserating about a boy who I like, and then reminding myself that even if it ends up he doesn't care at all about me....God's got it. And I then try to give it back to God. Give him all that, 'cause His plan, his future husband for me, and His love is wayyy better than mine.
That's all I've got.
3 comments:
Leah,
I really like Jeremiah 29:11 too! It always reminds me that no matter the circumstance, God has a plan for me for my future. Thinking about God instead of boys is totally the way to go...I mean, look at Solomon and all the trouble He had keeping a relationship with God; and he had 700 wives!!! All the relationships you could ever want! But his love for his wives was much more than his love for God, which is why he only had a half heart. I hope I never end up with a half heart for God if I get a significant other....of course, I probably won't have 700, HOPEFULLY! lol
Thank you for commenting on/following my blog! I would follow yours, but I don't know how, so I'll just stick to commenting :)
You're such an encouragement to me! I miss you super duper much, and can't wait to see you again!!!
Love,
Lisa
PS: Joey played the djembe :)
Leah, I have to say, I've thought the exact same things about "cliche" Bible verses! But you're right, they can never get overused! And thanks to God, they are constantly changing. No one Bible verse is the same every time you read it, because the Bible is living. That just gives me more faith to continue believing in God's awesome power! Think about it, have you ever read Jeremiah 29:11 and developed the exact same conclusion from the exact same circumstance? Even though God never changes, our interpretations from His word does, because He always gives us different problems.
I TOTALLY agree with you on the "boy" issue. I've spent a great deal of my time doing the exact same thing! If you think about it, God gave us all a desire for love like that. But the true solution is Him. He loves us so much and is just waiting for us to realize that we don't need the love of the world. And plus, through some tough experiences of my own, I've discovered that the world's love is never enough. You just keep wanting more... and then it's all over. :( Yeah, depressing, I know. But that's the thing - even life itself on this earth will come to an end. That's why God gave us eternity in Heaven with Him. :) I can't wait for that!
I love your writing. You are very talented, and your humility is something I strive for. :) Thanks for the encouragement Leah!
-Christina <><
Post a Comment