WHAT IF . . . "

{"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

"But, I can’t do anything special." A young woman complained. "Some people can sing in the choir and some can talk or pray in front of others. I can’t do anything."

Have you ever felt inadequate? Perhaps your cousin can dance or write poetry and you believe you have no talents at all. Many abilities are not overtly visible. The power to encourage a wounded spirit or the ability to teach the resistant learner are just two talents that come to mind that are not flamboyant or create a huge following or fan base.

Viewed from another perspective, what if you had never been born? Who would not be here? Who would have failed in school? Who would have gone untouched or unloved? What if you had not been there to share a word of hope or a witness to the work of God in your life? Would it have mattered to anyone around you, if you had not said, "Blessings my friend. The Lord be with you today."

The Lord God has plans for you, and those plans will make you prosper and bring hope to your days and a purpose to your future. Do you have to know what that is before God reveals it to you along your way? Must you direct God in his choosing and plans? Must it be so grand that others can see his hand on your life and praise YOU rather than HIM? Take courage today and pray the secret prayer that God will use you to complete HIS plan in your life - a plan of good and hope, so that you might give hope to others. "Not knowing" has more power and adventure and surrender than "knowing" ever can. Start the greatest adventure of your life today. Let us pray:

"Holy Father, Love divine, rest upon this heart of mine. If it is your will, may this be the dawning of a new day in my life, a day when your plans outshine my own. May this be the day when all I have and all I am is far more valuable than it could have been if I were to live life on my own. I pray that I no longer say, ‘What if?’ I know that you will take care of all the ‘If only’s’ and turn them into blessings for others. I do not want to know when I have brought healing to another, for it isn’t anything I have done. It is you working blessings through me not for me to boast about. Forgive me when I have needed to have my talents shine in order to bring praise to myself. You are worthy of praise, Father. I give all recognition to you and I choose not to call it back. I give it back to you freely. In the name of Jesus, your son and my savior I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp

Smoke from Distant Fires and Length of Days - The Age of Silence are available at www.cokesbury.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com or order from a bookstore

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