Jan 30, 2018

Dear Girl | Embrace God's Plan






















Dear Girl,

I wasn't originally going to write this.  I was planning on only posting about reading/writing related topics.  But then I remembered that there's so much more to life.  Let me explain.

Last week, my family went on a trip to Iowa.  We drove through endless fields of soft, brown hues.  We watched windmills spin, white in the light of the sun.  We passed rolling hills, arching bridges, and cities that stretched up into the sky.  During those long hours of driving, I had several goals of what I could accomplish with a seat-belt strapped around my shoulder.  My goals always consist of three things.

I have three areas of life I focus on.

I'm a Christian - I strive to have every area of my life reflect the love of my Savior.  I try to love Him with all my heart and tune my own dreams to reflect His plan for my life.

I'm a writer - I have writing goals such as finishing projects and keeping up with blogging.  I also read to help my writing abilities grow.

But I'm also a girl - I have relationships and a family whom I devote myself to.  I have hobbies and work that I try to keep under control.  I have emotions that go crazy, a room to keep clean, and a schedule that drives me nuts.

So if you're a girl, here's what I want to tell you.

Life's crazy.  It hurts.  It confuses us.  We face decisions and deadlines.  We try to balance a million things.  We're horrible at juggling, and sometimes our lives show that quite clearly.

Some of us are depressed.  Some of us are broken.  Some of us are afraid.

But dear girl, it's okay.  God's got this.

In Psalms 18, He gives us so many promises.  He promises to deliver us from our enemies because He delights in us.  He promises to support us.

For who is God, except the Lord?
And who is a rock, except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.

God's in control of our life - victories and struggles.  Yet we also can't accept less than what He has in store for us.

He has an amazing plan for our lives.  It might not have the glitter or comfort we're hoping for.  His plan might include poverty or persecution or peril.  But it's an epic adventure.  Why wouldn't we let the Author of history write our own life story?

My friend, the One who lead David to battle and Esther to go from peasant to queen wants to use YOU.  He has plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).  But those plans won't come to those who dilly-dally and dance through life living for themselves.

I don't want to be a Christian who lives in the lukewarm atmosphere that's only too common in our churches.  I heard that the name "Christian" was a term that non-believers gave to those who radically lived for Christ.  They were so different from the rest of the world that even those who denied the faith noticed their passion.

I want a faith like that.  I don't want to call myself a Christian.  I want it to shine from every area of my life.

I hope you want that same radical fervor.  Life wasn't meant to be lived half-heartily.  God has an amazing story specifically for you, but sometimes you must be willing to let go.

It would be nice to know all the answers and decisions in life.  And yet, that's the beauty of it.  God is directing every part of our life for a specific reason.  Maybe one day, we'll finally be able to see the "why"s.

But if you're wanting that set-apart life for Jesus, He's given us some hints at what He expects from those who love Him with everything.

You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Dear girl, if you want to find Jesus and let Him consume every area of your life - writing, reading, relationships, and more - are you willing to let go?  Are you willing to pray to Him and seek Him with all your heart?

I know you have so many things begging for your attention.  I do too.  It's hard to balance everything.

Yet, I also know this.

For You will light my lamp;
The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.

As you face life, remember that you're never alone.  You are loved.  Treasured.  And He has an amazing plan for your life.

The question is, will you let go and let Him write your story?  In every area of life?

Let's be radical.






















I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
~♥~ 

12 comments:

  1. This is amazing, and exactly what I needed to read today! Your series has been lovely, and I'm so glad you decided to post this. Seriously, you have the best thoughts about so many things.
    Recently, I read something to the extent of "don't try to live like a Christian, try to live like Christ" and that really sums up a lot for me. You echoed that thought in this post, and it was very encouraging. Again, thank you, Hosanna, for sharing your gift of writing with us. ♥

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    1. Thank you for the sweet words, Emily! I'm grateful when God inspires me in my writing, such as in this series. He's the reason I write, because, without Him, I could never do it on my own. =)

      That's true. We can compare ourselves to fellow Christians and maybe look like we have it down... or we can compare ourselves to God and see the truth. =) If our desire is to become like Christ, why would we reach for anything less? Thank you for the encouragement, dear friend.

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  2. God has been showing me the same thing; that He had an amazing story for us, and that fear can fade if we only remember that. Thanks so much for this post!

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    1. Yes, Penny! God is writing our life story, and He has great plans for our lives if we submit to His will. Although life isn't perfect, He can bring beauty through brokenness. Keep living for Jesus, my friend!

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  3. Your blog just keeps getting more beautiful. What a lovely header...and I love how the message stays strong <3
    Michaila
    seventytimeseven.com

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    1. Thank you, Michaila! I hope God used my words to point you to Himself and His radical plan for your life. =)

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  4. This is perfect timing. I’ve been trying to figure out how to balance out everything I want to do. And God has been repeating recently to me about living for Him with my all. For every area to reflect Him, and to shine through my life that I’m a Christian... not to just say that I am. I’m far from it and I’m still learning constantly, but aren’t we all?
    God has a plan for our lives, greater than we can imagine. We just need to be willing to let go.
    Thanks for sharing this Hosanna, great post :).

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    1. I appreciate that you shared how God's been working in your life, Sarah! I'm in a similar place: trying to balance the many areas of life while keeping Him in the center. It's much too easy to add Jesus into our lives without making Him the focus. But every. single. aspect of our day is supposed to bring Him glory. It reminds me of a favorite song, Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman.

      Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long as you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you. 'Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face, tell the story of grace with every move that you make."

      Keep pressing towards Jesus, Sarah! I'm cheering you on. =)

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  5. That's so true! <3 Thanks for writing it!! Lately I've been working on TOTALLY living my life for God and I have to say, it's all worth it!!!

    Lily @ lilymaesday.blogspot.com

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    1. It's absolutely worth it, Lily! It's easy to forget the beauty of living a life surrendered to Him, but the truth is still there. Jesus is faithful. Let's give it all over to His loving hands. ♥ Thank you for the sweet comment. =)

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  6. Real, honest thoughts on God's plan and letting go. Thank you, dear friend, and I look forward to speaking with you soon!

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    1. Thank you, dear Jordy - not only for this comment, but for the encouragement and Jesus-centeredness of your life. I appreciate you so much! ♥

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