Counselors and advisers often ask the question, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I think it is supposed to give some sort of idea about the goals we have for ourselves, but it is such a loaded question, isn't it? Does it REALLY matter where I see myself? If you had come to me at 18 and asked, "Where do you see yourself this time next year?" The answer would NOT have been, "Oh, I'll be married of course!" But that's what happened. Likewise, I wouldn't have been able to tell you where I'd be living or how many children I would have by now. The thing is- I am pretty stinking clueless about what the future holds! Yes, I do have some goals that I am working toward, and ideally I would like to meet those within a five year period or so, but really, when it comes down to it, I have no definite plan....and that scares me! I do not like to be sans plans! I want to know what's around the river bend, Pocahontas!
But I don't, and there is nothing I can do about it. Well...I guess that's a lie. I COULD worry. I COULD freak out. I COULD spout off the admissions statistics for PhD programs, or look at the sad state of our country and make some predictions. OR... I can trust in my God, my Best Friend, who created me and the path I walk. Yes, that seems like the best option. Right now, I am at such a crossroads in my life. I am not really sure which way will lead me to where, but I know He holds the future. He has brought me this far, and he will carry me the rest of the way if I trust him.
I was reading Luke 1 the other day and I came across this beautiful gem from Elizabeth speaking to Mary about the impending birth of Jesus-
"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1:45
Can I just say AMEN?! I LOVE that! Blessed is she who really believes and trusts what God has said to her. I want to be that she! I want to be that beloved daughter of the Most High who truly and completely believes her God when he tells her of the plans He has for her life! I want there to be no room for doubt, fear, or scary statistics, because I want my heart to overflow with trust and love for my Creator.
"For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Most of us have heard that verse over and over, but do we REALLY believe it? Do I really believe it? Yes. Yes! I do. I choose to believe what the Lord has said to me will be accomplished. He has said clearly to me that I am to be a counselor, and I trust that He will see me down this path, no matter what it looks like. His plans are so much higher than our own, and if we are obedient, we will see them to fruition and it will be so much better than we could ever imagine!
I leave you with two lyrics from two of my favorite hymns that solidify this idea in my soul-
"Oh, how sweet to walk in the pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms,
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms"
- Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, thus saith the Lord"
-Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
