Hopes and Dreams

Sometimes it's really hard for me to take my hopes, dreams, and plans that I have for my life, give them to God, and say,

"Here. Take them. As much as my heart wants things to go the way I had planned, if they are not part of Your will for my life, take these away from me. I don't want them."

It can be physically painful to pray that prayer, but it's necessary in order to live totally in God's will.  I'm not saying that we shouldn't have hopes and dreams, and plans for our lives.  However, when I may want something or think I've got a pretty good plan worked out I think God would sometimes say, "That's a good idea.  But wait!  I've got a better plan!" Tonight, I'm leaning heavily on Jeremiah 29:11 ("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 a hope and a future.")

Read it.
Memorize it.
Highlight it in your Bible.

You'll probably need to be reminded of these words many times in your life.

I know I do.