September 13, 2012
The Plan Came First
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you (Jeremiah 1:5, NCV).
Friend to Friend
Beginnings are very important. In fact, the place of origin has much to do with the quality of the journey as well as the final destination. My journey - like yours - began in the heart and mind of God. Before I took even one breath, God wanted, loved and planned me. That same truth applies to you, girlfriend. You are no accident! You and I were created in response to the love of God and according to His plans. God did not “accidentally” create us and then step back in alarm and say, “Oops! I created her. Now what am I going to do with her?” The plan came first.
There have been many times in my life when I doubted my worth and value. I filled every waking moment with activity – good things – thinking that if I did enough good things, I would be good enough. It didn’t work. I can never be good enough to earn the love and favor of God. The good news is that I don’t have to be! My worth and value rest in the fact that I am chosen by God to be His very own child. I am loved, wanted and planned by God Himself. Wow! God Himself supervised our formation. We were created – not to be a puppet – but for an intimate relationship with God.
Psalm 139:14-16 “I praise You because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What You have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, You saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old.” (NCV)
When our son, Jered, was four years old, we enrolled him in a daycare for two mornings each week. Jered loved to play with other children and always seemed to get along with everyone in his class. So I was surprised and upset when his teacher asked me to come in for a conference. My husband said, “Honey, how bad can it be? Jered is only four!” Jered’s teacher met me with a smile and a good report. “Jered is a wonderful little boy,” she began, “but there is one problem. How long has Jered known he was adopted?” I was clueless about that being a problem, but answered, “Since he began talking. We have told him repeatedly how special he is and that he is a chosen baby.” She smiled and went on to explain that Jered told the other children that he was special because he was adopted. In fact, Jered informed each child that his mom and dad had chosen him – while their parents “got stuck” with them.
Listen, girlfriend, when you begin to understand and live out the eternal truth that you are loved, planned, wanted and chosen by God, His perfect plan and highest purpose will naturally unfold before you each day. Remember, in His eyes, you are special and His plan for your life is simply for you to get good at being you.
Let’s Pray
Father, I want to know You and find Your plan for my life. I choose to see myself through Your eyes of love, forgiveness and grace. I want to be the woman You created me to be. Thank You for loving me. Help me to walk each day in the knowledge that I am Your child.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
- Do you really believe God loves you unconditionally?
- What proof of that belief is evident in your life?
- Do you consider yourself worthy? Why or why not?
- Read Psalm 139 each day for one month. Record the new truths that you learn, the changes in your perspective and any fresh insights in your journal.
- At the end of the month, write Psalm 139 in your own words and share it with a friend.
More from the Girlfriends
I spent many years trying to earn the favor and love of God. I worked very hard at being the person I thought God wanted me to be instead of seeking Him to discover who He created me to be. Rick Warren once asked, “Mary, who is going to be you if you don’t be you?” I had to stop and think about that statement for a minute, but slowly began to realize that God really does have a special plan just for me and that my highest act of obedience is to seek that plan each and every day. Hope in the Midst of Depression is the story of my struggle to see myself as God sees me and in doing so, be set free from the darkness of judgment and condemnation. I encourage you to visit my online store and pick up a copy.
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