LESSONS FROM A RAIN FOREST

Jeremiah 29:11-14
11 "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. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Wow, this is awesome!" I said to my family, as I stood on top of Mt. Britton in El Yunque Rain Forest in Puerto Rico. We had spent the last 40 minutes trudging up the mountain to reach this spot. The trail was a winding, narrow path that was all uphill. It was about 90°F and very humid.

Needless to say, even though it was a unique experience to walk through a rain forest, several times along the way I doubted my parents' wisdom in choosing this trail. It was very difficult and I quickly became exhausted. I didn't think I could make it. When we reached the look-out area and the clouds momentarily dissipated to reveal an amazing view, however, I had to admit to myself, My parents knew what they were doing.

Over the past 4 years, I have wondered numerous times, Does God really know what He's doing? I had been fighting an uphill battle with a disease that the doctors couldn't even diagnose. I was exhausted--physically, emotionally, and spiritually--and ready to give up. Yet, as I look back on those challenging times, I get a glimpse of how far I have come. And, as always, God really did know what He was doing!

When the Jews were taken captive by the Babylonians and forced to live in exile in Babylon, they must have questioned the wisdom of God's plan too. Yet God replied with this promise: "I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

This was true then, and it is still true today. God knows what He is doing. We can trust Him. --Kelley Bergsma, Pennsylvania. Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader.

DESTINATION POINTS

* Do I sometimes question the wisdom of God's plan?
* What tough times in the past has God helped me through?
* Am I trusting God with my future? If not, why?

LINKS
How Can I Find Peace?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/001/12.10.html

In God We Trust
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2002/001/4.42.html

bottom line: God has a plan for me!

soul journey