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.

- Psalm 18:31-32

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.

- Jeremiah 29:12-13

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.

- Psalm 18:28-29 

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.

- Philippians 4:13

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.

- 1 Corinthians 8:6 

~♥~