What’s next? That seems to be the big question. Unfortunately, it is a question that I have had in the back of my mind since day one of this journey.
I have so often found myself praying, crying out to God, that there is so much I could do but I just wanted Him to tell me the one thing I should do. I mean, He is the one that wrote down every moment of my life before a single one of my days had passed (Psalm 139:16). He is the one that said He would accomplish more with me than I could ever dare to ask or hope (Eph. 3:20). He is the one that said He had good plans for me, plans for a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). He is the one that said that I have a future ahead of me, and that my hope will not be disappointed (Prov. 23:18). He is the one that said He would work out His plans for my life (Psalm 138:8).
I have found myself wondering why these huge, awesome, individual, specific, plans for me seem to be so hidden. I would like to think that God wants His will for my life to be lived out way more than I think I do… but yet it all seems like some kind of far off, unattainable mystery.
FATHER! WHAT IS YOUR WILL FOR MY LIFE?
Finally, after repeating this complaint enough times, I got an answer. It was just not quite the answer I thought I was looking for.
ME: What am I supposed to do?
GOD: Do what you know?
ME: I don’t know anything?
GOD: Yes you do. You know it, now just do it.
ME: Do what?
GOD: Do what I have told you to do.
ME: sigh… God, I don’t get it… you haven’t told me anything. I can’t hear you!
GOD: You can hear me. You are just being stubborn and not listening.
ME: I think I need some kind of neon sign or something. I need direction.
GOD: I have given it to you. Read it. Believe it. Do it.
ME: What, the Bible?
GOD: Yes.
ME: That is your specific plan for my life? Really?
GOD: Yes.
ME: What? What is?
GOD: Love.
ME: Your plan for my life is love? Just love? That’s it?
GOD: Yes.
ME: I still don’t think I get it.
GOD: I want you to love me. I want you to love me with everything you have. I want you to love others. I want you to love others the way I love you (Matt. 22:37-39). I want you to do the Word… to live the same way Jesus lived (John 12:12).
ME: But, that isn’t very specific.
GOD: Yes it is. Whatever my Word says to do – you do that. Seek me, spend time with me, study my words, hunger and thirst for righteousness, use your gifts, die to the world, give up everything for me, pick up your cross, stop caring what others think, be bold, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give to the poor, love your neighbor, serve, tithe, go to church, contribute to the body of Christ, pray, fast, worship, encourage, sharpen others, preach the Gospel, make disciples, baptize people, heal the sick, cast out demons, rejoice when others rejoice, mourn when others mourn, visit those in prison, intercede for those that need freedom from their bondage and chains, walk in the Spirit, walk in power, walk in humility… LOVE. Start with that.
ME: But… where, when, how… I don’t understand how this is your big plan for my life.
GOD: This is my ultimate goal for everyone’s life. My will for your life, just like every other person’s, is that you would Love me and because of that love you would be compelled to love others. Sure I made you different from everyone else. I have equipped you with different gifts and talents. But no matter who you are, or what your gift is, or where I put you, it is all for the same outcome… the same goal… LOVE. It is Love that will change the world. It is Love that will further my Kingdom.
ME: But, that still doesn’t answer my question. Where do you want me to love? Africa, Asia… where… and how?
GOD: Stop trying to see the big picture. Stop trying to figure it all out. Stop worrying about the future. Just focus on today… right now… where ever you are… then Love. Every moment – Love. Every person – Love. Every place – Love. You just focus on seeking me, knowing me, loving me and I will help you love others. You just focus on serving me and I will help you serve others. You worry about that and I will worry about the rest.
ME: But, after the race… where should I go?
GOD: Where are you going?
ME: Huh? Well, I am going home.
GOD: OK. Go home.
ME: But what about Africa and the orphans and… and… and…
GOD: When you are in Africa love in Africa. When you are home then love at home.
ME: So, I’m still going back to Africa… right?
GOD: Not tomorrow… not next week… not next month. Go home. Love. Be content and faithful – be consistent.
ME: That’s it?
GOD: Yes. Isn’t that enough?
ME: It is enough.
GOD: Good. Go love some people because you love me.
ME: OK. But I do not love well. I don’t think I know how.
GOD: My grace is sufficient (2 Corinth. 12:9). My love is enough. I will help you. I will teach you. I work everything out for the good of those that love me and have been called according to my purposes (Rom. 8:28). I will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds (2 Thess. 1:12). I will never leave you, I am with you always. (Matt. 28:20). I love you my beloved… my chosen one.
So… that is what’s next. All I know so far is that I will be in Romania till the 29th. On the 30th I will be traveling home and on the 31st I will be at church… past that I do not have a clue about anything specific. I do know that where ever I am, who ever I am with, what ever I am doing I am to love… Love God and Love others. That is the only plan I’ve got. But I know it is enough.
