"Shhhh... It's a surprise! You are invited to..."
Oh the joys that come with planning a surprise party for a close friend. Everyone knows it's coming EXCEPT the person you are surprising. What a thrilling concept! You plan, you invite all the special people, set up the decorations and details to the t; all this exciting effort put forth just to try to make someone close to you feel as special and loved as they really are.
Often times, as people walk through seasons that are unsure, I remind them: if we knew how everything was going to be, there would be no reason to trust God. If I had all the answers and knew just how things were going to pan out, what would the purpose of faith and trust in my Heavenly Father be?
It's like a surprise party. My Heavenly Father- the one who truly knows my heart, my likes and dislikes, ALL my (future and past) successes and failures- is planning something for ME!! With the most tender care and intimate love He teaches, refines, and guides me, as he delicately plans perfect plans uniquely fashioned for me. My response? I frantically run around searching for clarity and "the right thing to do" when He gently whispers, "Fear not, little sheep, don't you remember it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom?" (Luke 12:32). If He were to tell me everything now, the exciting surprise would be ruined and I would have no reason to climb up in his lap and rest, being truly dependent on Him. What an incredible picture?!
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
... I will fulfill to you my promise... For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek m and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:10-13
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock... The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. In the path of your judgements, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and rememberance are the desire of our soul. My would yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Isaiah 26:3-4,7-9
