I was talking to someone who said life normally doesn’t turn out the way we plan it to be. She couldn’t be more accurate. I immediately thought about Proverbs 16:9 which says
“A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.“
So although you may plan to be wealthy at 25, God is going to direct your paths in the way that He wills you to go. We’re all playing a role in a bigger story.
When I reflect on my life in the last 5 years I think about how much has changed in such a short amount of time. God has been really faithful. Despite the seasons of pain and struggle, I’ve experienced God rescue me from every trial. He’s never left me in those depths that I once thought were permanent.
I thought that if I carefully planned my life, and worked really hard toward my goals that I will achieve all of my heart’s desires.
I didn’t think about all of the arbitrary decisions I’d have to make on the journey to achieving my goals, you know the ones you do not plan for, such as changing my major, moving back home, being laid off, losing my car, burying my dad, taking care of my mother or my aunt.
It helps to know that Jesus has experienced far greater disappointments and pain than we have ever experienced as the son of God; that He’s had to make the most uncomfortable decisions this world has ever known. And as a pastor once mentioned, “that He died waiting for the promise to be fulfilled.” How many of us are willing to die waiting?
As a millennial, many of us are inclined to immediate gratification whether we’d like to admit or not. Try being a Christian millennial ha! It’s one of the most challenging, patience-producing, journeys in the world. Some of us may or may not be aware of the blessing that lies at the end but I’m convinced that the leading cause of depression among millennials is the lack of immediate gratification. We’re problem solvers so we’re always looking for solutions to our trials or our pain, whether it be emotionally, financially or physically. And the moment we feel we do not have these things, we feel like failures.
This generation needs Jesus…seriously.
Yes, we don’t own anything. We’re thousands of dollars deep in student loan and credit card debt and we face more divorces and singleness than our parents (mostly a result of the lack of finances). The stock market crash in 2008 not only ruined the housing market but the job market for us, leaving many of us underemployed.
But God continues to reign on His throne amidst all the chaos we may see happening around us. There’s still hope, a hope that is beyond what we can see here on Earth and it’s far more rewarding. So not only the fruit of patience is matured through our trials but ultimately our faith. God will use trials to test our faith so that we may learn to inherently trust Him. I’ve noticed this several times in my life. I’ve felt hopelessness and had no idea how I was going to do basic things like eat and I cried out to God and watched how He provided. Kind of like when He sent manna from heaven to the Israelites in the wilderness.
Scripture says: “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (ESV)
What this generation needs more is faith. Faith, that despite our circumstances that Jesus is alive and that He loves us deeply, desires a personal relationship with us and wants to walk with us through our struggles because He has overcome it all and has prepared a beautiful place in eternity for us. Hallelujah!
I love the verse that reads:
“10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)
Brothers and sisters, I hope this has blessed you and I pray that despite the many directions that the seasons in life may turn that you never forget that Jesus wants to walk with you through them. He knows your brokenness very well and He wants to heal you and set you free from it. He wants to develop faith in you, a faith that genuinely trusts God. May His grace and favor be with you always.
Many blessings!
Living with Grace 
This is real. So much can happen in such a short period of time, and pieces like this are a great reminder for me to always trust God, whether things are going well or not.
I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness and His desire to order my steps in life. So amen, great piece Vanessa.
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