Hope Renewed
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”- 1 Corinthians 10:31
Many times in the course of my adulthood, I have quoted this familiar verse from Scripture. Before I go any further, I have to talk a little about why this verse says what it says—the context of this verse among the verses preceding and following. The portion of Scripture this is from has the title “Christian Liberty” and Paul, the writer, was talking about seeking the good of others. Most likely, he was speaking of the types of meat people of the Jewish religion could and could not eat, versus what the Greek unbelievers they were with were eating and he was telling them that whatever they did should be for God’s glory—not their own.
I’d like to talk about how I take this verse today, though. We know that God’s Word is true and we know that everything within His Word can be applied to our lives in this present day. Do you ever wonder about God’s plan for your life? I’ll be honest and confess that even at my age (44) I still wonder what may be next for my own life. My sons are all adults now, with my last two graduating in just a few weeks and all of a sudden, I will have extra time on my hands. We have homeschooled for the last ten years, so I will literally have nothing to do. I’m thinking about getting a part-time job and I am praying about a few possibilities and trusting the Lord to guide me every step of the way. I can’t help but wonder what He will have me do next and the prospects are exciting.
I believe that God is sovereign over every circumstance and time. I know He has plans for the lives of those who believe in and are followers of Him.
“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—”plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” - Jeremiah 29:11
We can trust in His perfect plan.
I realize that trusting Him is easier said than done, especially in regards to an uncertain future, both personally and figuratively in the world we currently live in. But maybe you need to read this statement again—you can trust God!
So where does this article find you right now? Are you in a time of waiting? Are you being faithful in a job that you don’t love? Are you recovering from a diagnosis that set you back? Are you fearful of your future? Are you searching for godly friends? Are you hoping to have a baby? Are you trying to forgive someone who recently hurt you?
Have you prayed about your situation recently? If not, that is the first thing I encourage you to do as soon as you read this article. The Lord knows everything we go through and He wants us to come to Him with all of our hurts, struggles, feelings, and concerns. There is nothing too big for Him to handle and there is nothing too small. Have you considered that He has you where you are for a reason? Maybe He is stretching your dependency upon Him, meaning that maybe He is in the process of showing you what it’s like to surrender to Him. Maybe He is trying to show you the virtue of patience—this is a hard one to learn. In learning patience, we learn what it’s like to wait on Him and His perfect timing. Wherever you are right now in life, know that you’re not there in vain.
You see, the Lord uses every situation in life to grow us, those of us who belong to Him. I think back to all the years I wanted to be pursuing an outlet for writing, but instead, I was in the throes of raising a house full of boys. He used those years to grow my faith in Him and He gave me insights into those years of parenting that I am now able to use as I write for Him. (I write here and I help write Bible studies for women.)
I am the type of person who loves to look around me for a spiritual picture. I love the spring season because it reminds me of renewed hope. After a harsh winter season, I am just now beginning to catch little glimpses of green amid a world of brown. In my own yard, the grass is just barely starting to turn green in some spots and as I drive, I keep seeing patches of buttercups rising up from the dead grass. I am reminding myself that God can take what is dead and bring it back to life. For me, after a decade of being at home with my sons as we homeschooled, I am starting to think outside of the realm of being a mom as a full-time job. The world is at my fingertips, I feel, and it’s an exciting place to be. I’ve learned that when I let go of my plans and expectations, that the Lord goes above and beyond in showing me how His plans are far better than anything I could have come up with.
“For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts'' Isaiah 55:9.
So, if you’re waiting on something better, keep doing what you’re doing right now for the glory of God. If you are single and wanting to meet a man, keep being single for the glory of God. Ask Him to help you through whatever you’re facing and know that He will help you through. He is faithful! Walk-in His will, read His Word, pour out your heart to Him in prayer and confession and know that He will be right there beside you.
One last thing—if you’re younger, consider finding an older lady in the faith to befriend. This is the Titus 2 way of living and it is extremely beneficial to walk through life with someone who is a bit older, someone who has walked where you’ve walked. For instance, I love meeting with moms who have little ones at home or young ladies who are about to get married. Prayerfully consider finding someone like that for you and if you attend a church service each week, you could even ask someone there to help you find someone. I promise you that you will never regret the decision to live your life in this Titus 2 way. (Now, go and look up those verses!)
I pray these words encourage you today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Goodwin is a wife, and mom to four (almost) grown sons. The Lord has called her to serve in several different ministries within her church home, some of which are bible study and leading younger women, and helping in the leading of worship on Sundays. During the week you can find her writing on her blog, Overflowing With Thanksgiving and encouraging others through her favorite social media outlet: Instagram. Follow along with her and be encouraged at @jenlloydgoodwin.