Tommy Newberry begins Day 2 of 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life by asking the question, “Do you believe that God has great plans for your future?”  Most Christians, if they were truthful, would answer a lukewarm, “Yeah, I do, whatever.”  We know that Jeremiah 29:11 says He does.  He has “plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (NLT),” but connecting that to our humdrum life is not so easy.  I’m no different.  I hope He does, but I don’t always trust that He does.

Newberry asks, “if God himself were in your presence in physical form and directly affirmed His great plans for you, what would be different about the way you would live from that point forward?”  Then he challenges the reader to accept the idea wholeheartedly or completely cross it off the list of possibilities, confronting our “wait and see” mentality.  He compares this to the old show, “Deal or No Deal.”  If we accept the deal, we can only have gratitude for all God has done and is doing in our lives. He states we can either decide to be exceptionally grateful from this point or not.

I’m going with gratitude because I have experienced more than my share of blessings and favor.  The Word says that you reap what you sow, God won’t be mocked on that point.  I swear, however, that He has sent the birds to devour some of the rotten seeds I have planted, and my life continues to be a garden of love and peace.  I refuse to focus on that little scruffy patch in the back of the yard where old memories try to take root and overtake all the good!

Today’s exercise is to describe, using bullet points, what God’s plan for your life might look like.

For me:

• Continuing to grow in knowledge of God and His ways
• An amazing relationship with a kind, loving, and generous Christian man
• Fun family times together with our children and grandchildren, pouring love and learning into their lives
• Service and travel together
• Ministry opportunities to travel, write, and speak
• Health and productivity into old age

Then he suggests writing a note to God thanking Him for the future He has planned and asking Him to guide you toward that life.

Dear God,

Thank you for the amazing plans you have for my life.  I can look into the future with confidence because you have brought me up higher and higher throughout my life.  Even things that brought me low and could have destroyed me, you used as steppingstones to help me up (Romans 8:28).  I know you will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5 KJV), and that my latter days will be even greater than the former (Job 8:7 KJV).  Thank you that you continually teach me more and more about your ways.  Isaiah 50:4 (GNT) says, “The Sovereign Lord has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary.  Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me,” and this is so true!

Thank you that you are a BIG God with BIG plans—more than I could hope or imagine (Ephesians 3:19).  Show me the next steps you have for me and help me to be ready and willing to take them, knowing it is always You who does the good work through me while I enjoy the rewards!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What do you see God doing in your future?

If you want to get the book and come along on this Journey to Joy, you can purchase is on Amazon through this link.  It is not an affiliate link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1414366906/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_maOvEbHBYV97Z

• 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life