It was around 2 am in the morning. I had just made one of the biggest decisions of my life. Since it takes me a while to process things, I drove mindlessly for almost 2 hours. I kept asking myself, “What am I doing?”, “What about this?”, “What about that?”, “Jesus, what is ahead?”, “How are you going to work through this?” Sometimes life is confusing. As my mind raced, I felt as though God interrupted my thoughts and whispered to me:
“You can smile about your future”
Hearing this kind of took me aback. I thought well if God is telling me this, then I should dry my tears. Stop my worrying and put a smile on my face. I don’t know that I felt like smiling, but I started to thank God that He was in charge and I am in no way forgotten by Him.
Life is FULL of transitions. Life is FULL of highs and lows. It is full of laughter and tears. Life contains all kinds of seasons: seasons of busyness, seasons of rest, seasons of actions, and seasons of waiting.
I think many of us (well, at least me) have had the tendency in the past to think that when one thing ends whatever is ahead won’t be “as good as” the thing we just left. I remember several years ago having to leave what had become familiar to me for something completely unfamiliar. I kept trying to hold on to what was and not embrace the present and the future was completely out of my mind.
It was a few months ago when I heard, “You can smile about your future”. Well, God, being who He is, allowed me to come across Proverbs 31:25 just last night which says:
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future”
After I read that, I just smile and thanked God, again! I am so grateful that God is so intimately acquainted with all our ways.
The same God who was with me (and you) in the last season is with me (and you) in this season! Maybe you didn’t anticipate this season, or even last season-God did! He knew all along. He knows that He has more for you and I in this season that we couldn’t have learned in the last season.
I know this Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse, I cannot count how many times I’ve used it or read it, but something about this verse struck me differently. The verse says, “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”
The part that stuck out was that it says, “I know” NOT “You know” God has the plans to give you a hope and a future, not you, or me, but Him! Your life and my life are in God’s hands. He will guide me and He will guide you.
Psalm 139:9-10 says:
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
We are never out of God’s sight, thoughts, or mind! He is working in the midst of your transition/season and mine. He has the plans and He is completely worthy of our trust!
So whatever season or transition you’re in now, enjoy it :)! Soak up everything God has to offer in it. Spend time seeking Him and what He wants to do in this season with you! And smile at your future because He is waiting for you!
