Architect & Blueprints

As a little boy growing up, I wanted to be/do lots of things. As a 5 year old, I used to look forward to trash pickup day so that I could follow the "garbage" men down the alley. I was going to be a "sanitation engineer" when I grew up. My parents even bought me a Tonka Toy garbage truck for Christmas. Well as the years went by my dreams changed and I pursued other opportunities. I was responsible for making it all happen. My success or lack thereof was up to me. As a Believer, I am told in scripture that God has a plan for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). This sounded great but did I really embrace this. The truth is NO. To embrace it would mean that God is in control and I would have to put God first. I was cruising right along. Living a comfortable life. Good job, a happy marriage, 2 wonderful kids and a cat. I gave God about 90% of me and the other 10% was all about me. That seemed okay, right? Well, God had other plans. About 8 months ago, I lost my job. I experienced all the usual emotions: disappointment, guilt, fear, anger, anxiety, and even depression. I did ask God(the Architect) why but never did lay the blame game on him. Instead, I chose to draw closer to Him. I spent more time in prayer. I opened up His word (the blueprints) to us and spent time reflecting on what it had to say. I often just remained quite and just listened. While He never spoke audibly to me, I did sense His presence. I have come to realize that He wants all of me not part of me. I've learned that His grace is sufficient. I have learned to trust and obey His promises (a very hard thing to do). These lessons are put to the test daily. I started a new job about 3 1/2 weeks ago. I really enjoy it but the decent income is a year or so down the road. We are at a crossroads in terms of some important financial decisions to be made that will impact my retirement plan. This would normally cause me to worry and fret. When this happens, I can become difficult to be around. Not fair for my wife and son. Anyway, I chose to put this in God's hand and trust Him. This morning's devotion was taken from Luke 12:22-32. Jesus instructs us not to worry and to seek Him first. Isn't just like God to know what I need and when I need it. I attended a funeral early today for my brother-in-laws father who passed away Friday. We were reminded to by the deacon who presided over the service to find our rest in Christ. Again, another affirmation that God doesn't want us to go it alone. When we feel our lives are under construction, let us remember to talk with architect and examine the blueprints.