A Work in Progress ....

"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 (NIV)

We all have a purpose -- a God-given purpose to this life that we are living -- some of find our purpose at a very early age, some of us take awhile longer and some of us are still searching. It doesn't matter what category you fall in, God is leading you in the direction that you need to be going -- maybe you're not quite ready for what He wants you to accomplish for Him. Maybe there's a few valleys that you still need to walk through, or maybe you're almost to the top of that mountain -- DON'T STOP NOW!

Are you going through a difficulty? A major trial? Keep climbing! That mountain probably seems pretty high right now, but imagine what it's going to feel like when you finally reach the top??!! The sun is going to shine a little brighter. The birds are going to sing a little louder. All the colors of nature are going to be more beautiful. Is any of that even possible? Yes, it is. 

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-4 (NIV)

God promises to walk beside you -- to guide you, to lead you -- every step of the way. While the valleys are the hardest, toughest, most difficult things you will ever go through, God makes promises of better things to come. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Those better things may not happen overnight, in fact, you may need to walk through a few valleys before you even see a glimmer of that "better" life. But God has given you a purpose, He will not forsake you and things will get better (it doesn't say return to "normal", but it does say that He works things out to the good). Maybe this valley you're in is a faith-growing experience, maybe it's a "learning" tool -- I can't answer what purpose it serves, but at some point, God will reveal His ultimate plan for your life? The next question becomes "Will you be ready"? "Will you be listening?"

Spend some time today with God -- in His Word, surrounded by His beautiful creations and most of all in prayer -- you want to be ready when He reveals His plan for you.

Country FarmHouse Blessings,