When do the dreams I have for my future align (or become the same as) the plans God has for me?
Growing up we are always asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
From then we start chasing the American Dream of good job, good car, good family, good house, and good family.
All the stuff that we can acquire is the best. Please do not read into this as me saying that it is a negative thing because I truly believe that God is a God of blessing and being blessed is awesome. Its when these things become our ‘focus’ that it is negative.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.
This is God’s plan for our future. How different that sounds than the American Dream.
The American Dream, or my dream of the future is all about making sure that I am comfortable right now. Making sure that I have enough money and stuff to survive comfortably until I die.
Its all about having the best:
Children
Social Status
Clothes
Education
Job
Things
etc.
Jesus talks about this in Matthew 6:19-24. Most of us have heard these verses before because we have all heard “Lay up treasures in heaven.” I believe this goes a little further. I believe that this is a gentle rebuke for those of us that are focused incorrectly. Us that are looking only to making sure that we are secure for the here and now. If you read verses 22 and 23 you will see a small quick parable. He talks about light and eyes and all this right in the middle of talking about not having stuff but what he is saying is that whatever we are ‘focused’ on is what will consume us. If we are ‘focused’ on prosperity then prosperity consumes us. It says in 2 Peter 2:19 – For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. The last part of this says that you cannot serve God and money. The greek word for money here is referring to money and possessions or stuff. So if you are chasing after money and the all the stuff and status that it can give you then you ARE NOT serving God.
So what is Jesus talking about when he says to store up treasures in Heaven?
If you read Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells a story about sheep and goats. I believe that the sheep in the story were storing up treasures in heaven and the goats were not. They clothed the naked, fed the hungry, took care of the poor and widows, and visited the imprisoned. These are the ones that were working for the kingdom in everyday life and in those around them. Shining brightly. Not keeping the word hidden and only using the blessings that they had received for themselves.
So i sometimes get a little anxious when I think am I doing all these things that the aforementioned sheep were doing, and I think Jesus suspected that there would be someone like me that would worry about it. Because the next topic he talks about is not worrying. He even says that don’t worry about tomorrow because today worries enough for itself. He says you CANNOT add one day to your life by worry so stop doing it. Now in my words what he is saying is this. Be good stewards but quit worrying about whether or not I will supply. He promises that he will supply. So we should stand on that assurance. HE WILL SUPPLY. Ok now that you understand and agree you can tell the devil to flee everytime that he tries to creep that worry back into your life.
So Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek him first and then all these things will be added to us. This is powerful but leads me o my next question.
How do I seek him first?
The answer I believe is in the two greatest commandments. Matthew 22:30-40
Love the lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
So back to my original question.
When do the dreams I have for my future align (or become the same as) the plans God has for me?
I believe the answer is when its no longer about us and its only about Him.
I love you all,
Cody
