Recently I was reminded of a post written three years ago. In the midst of all so many are facing, it seemed like a good time to edit and share it once again. If the recent changes to “normal” life have you asking the question, “What next?”, my hope is for you to find some encouragement in these words.
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Dreams. They begin to formulate in us from a young age with every relationship, emotion, and experience playing a part in bringing them to fruition.
David, Jessie’s youngest son, was a simple shepherd, tending to his father’s sheep. His dreams may have been of becoming a landowner and one day tending to his own sheep. But Samuel came looking for the man of God’s choosing and upon finding him, anointed him with oil. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord was powerfully upon David although he did not take his rightful place as “king” for several more years.
He came to reign through servanthood ”“ tending his father’s sheep, fighting giants, and playing music for a crazed king who needed to be mellowed from time to time. The fulfillment of his dreams did not come easily. Some battles came through his own sin and flaws; others through the sins and flaws of those around him.
Yet God still said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22, NLT).
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young virgin, who dreamed of marrying Joseph, a good man. Her dream may have included a beautiful wedding day, hopes for a home, and children in the days ahead. She probably never dreamed of finding herself pregnant before her wedding day. Her picture perfect plan did not go perfectly.
So what happens when our dreams change or we finally achieve our dream? What is it we are to do next?
We keep on going.
We do the next thing.
God is always looking to make us stronger, grow us deeper, and take us further than we ever could dream.
His plans exceed what our finite and feeble minds can imagine and handle, so He unfolds them a bit at a time. All through our lives, He will continually be at work, revealing His plans piece by piece, much like a puzzle forms a work of art.
We only see a part as if through a mirror dimly, but one day we will see clearly:
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT)
God always follows through on His plans and does not abandon the work of His hands.
“And I am certain that God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)
Keep on going.
Do the next thing.
Photo by David Tommasino
*This post first appeared HERE.
Today I am joining …
Jennie Allen says “Do the next right thing.” Thank you for sharing your insights during this strange time we are living in.
These are helpful to remember both in the grand scheme of life or even when individual days don’t go according to plan. We’re grateful for that when good and pleasant things happen, but otherwise, we’re sometimes left scratching our heads. I’m thankful we can rest in the One who sees the big picture and orchestrates our circumstances.
David’s life and testimony is one of the most encouraging for a “former bad girl.” That’s me in case you are wondering!!!