Why Jeremiah 29:11?
I’m asked this question a lot. You see, this is my favourite bible verse. Which is hard to say because there are a lot of really great and inspiring verses in the Bible, but this verse is the one that I lean so heavily on.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you Hope and a future.
I feel that all through High School and my childhood I have had dreams and ambitions and so many wants for my future that to say ‘yes’ to one was to say ‘no’ to another. And this was something that I really struggled with because I wanted to do everything. So this verse became a reminder and a promise that I really surrounded myself with during a time where everyone around me was wanting me to make a decision about what I was going to do next.
I even got Jer. 29:11 tattooed on my ankle (getting a tattoo was on my bucket list so why not?).
Of course, it wasn’t until I got to College that I really got to experience the power of this verse and really recognize it in my life.
Sometime this past April, I was faced with two choices: to stay in College or to take a break and try something new. I had thought that God would single the choice out for me like I was hoping he would, but I soon discovered that he wanted me to make a choice and then stand by that decision. So I did, and I chose to do this mission trip. And it was like a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. And after I had made this choice, I had opened my Bible to Jeremiah chapter 1, and right there, in verses 4-10, I had received God’s answer.
He said:
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
God truly works in mysterious ways and that is why Jeremiah 29:11 is my favourite bible verse.
