Your will, not mine, Lord – Jeremiah 29:11

Here’s a followup commentary from a fellow blogger regarding Jeremiah 29:11 and God’s will …

“Your will, not mine, Lord“

(James Birchenough)

Peace!

Makenzie’s Misunderstood Bible Verse – Jeremiah 29:11 – Part 2

“‘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.’” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Truthfully, this translation is not the best for this verse (see part 1).  Even though millions have it as a life verse, have used it for comfort and have placed it on everything from bumper stickers to coffee mugs, it still doesn’t capture what God is saying.

It’s Makenzie’s life verse as well but there is so much more meaning to it if you dig into the context and the original language.  In context, God has exiled the Israelites to Babylon (which is a whole ‘nother theological discussion).  He tells them to hang out, do what needs to be done, get married, build a life etc.  But at the end of 70 years, He is going to bring them back to their homeland.

The Israelites are ticked, tired and tried.  They need to know that God hasn’t abandoned them or forgotten about them.  They need some encouragement from this God who, in His love, allowed desperate hardship to uproot their entire people group.  And in comes verse 11 of Jeremiah 29:11.  Through a word of encouragement, God says to this beat up nation, “Hey!  Don’t worry.  Hang in there.   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

God doesn’t have an individual plan for you but more importantly, He has a larger purpose for you (again, see part 1).  And, as the original language points out, God thinks good thoughts about you.  For one, they are thoughts of peace.  It is possible to be in the worst life tragedy or the most frustrating situation and still have peace!  The peace that God gives!  He doesn’t think evil on you either.  Meaning, if you feel like God has allowed destruction in your life, behind the scenes, He is working it into something good (see Romans 8:28).  He also knows what the end of the story looks like in your life and, again, it is good.  It may not be what you expect, but it is good.

Our family is experiencing this good right now.  Coming next month, it will be 3 years since the Lord danced my oldest daughter, Makenzie, to heaven.  It has been extremely hard, much of the time.  It has been a journey that I wish upon no one.  But we are seeing how even in the midst of the struggle, we have had peace.  And it is good.

So go ahead and mark up the T-shirts with Jer. 29:11.  Claim it for your confirmation or life verse.  Tattoo it on your hand.  Whatever.  God has great thoughts and a purpose for your existence.  Live fully, Love God and Laugh from your gut.  Life is worthy of that!

Peace!

Makenzie’s Misunderstood Bible Verse – Jeremiah 29:11 – Part 1

“‘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.’” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I hate this verse.  No – that’s a bit strong.  I struggle with this verse.  And while many of you have this verse on t-shirts, bracelets and small magnets on the doors to your fridge, I get frustrated thinking about it!

Here’s my tension: If God has plans for me, plans that involve prosperity, hope, and protection, then what happened to God’s plans when my daughter, Makenzie died in a car accident a few years – moments – ago?  This was her life verse and motivationally so!  But what about the “not to harm you” part.  What about that, God?  And does that mean that I can goof up and step out of God’s plan and then work to get back on His plan for me?

As you can tell, I’ve battled with this verse’s language-ing until I dug deeper into its context and its original Hebrew.  I’ll spare you a theological treatise, but a better translation of Jeremiah 29:11 comes in the King James Version.  It reads,

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Doesn’t that change the “plans” part?  Here’s what this verse is actually saying.  It does not say that God has an individual plan for your life – like a blueprint of every moment you spend on the timeline of this earth.  The Bible is clear that He does have a purpose for your life but not necessarily a specific plan.  The purpose about which God talks is for you to know Jesus and to grow to be more like Him in character and relationship.  God’s purpose for you is not based on what you do but moreso who you are.

That means that once you know that your purpose is to love God and love others, then the adventure is discovering how that purpose plays out in your life.  You are freed up to figure out how you are wired, develop those talents and gifts, and then deploy them into the lives of people around you. Part of that means that you can actually do things that you enjoy!  What a concept!

Listen, God doesn’t care what you do for a career – whether you should be an architect, doctor, teacher or pastor.  He doesn’t care what parking space you choose or which outfit you should wear today.  If it doesn’t lead you or others to sin, and if it is a wise decision, do whatever you want!   Generally, God does not have a detailed plan for your life.

So what does this verse mean then?  Stay Tuned …

Peace!

Purpose Resourcing!

PurposeResourcing.com

I talk to a plethora (I like that word) of people who are trying to find meaning, value and purpose in their everyday life.  Well meaning people who jump into college or into their first job for all the wrong reasons.  Some for money, some for family history, some because they simply don’t know what else to do.

God has wired each of us for an ultimate purpose of representing Him in the arenas of life.  That purpose plays out in different ways throughout our journey here.  The adventure is to discover that purpose, develop it and then deploy it into the world.

But how do you do that?  How do you discover, develop and deploy your purpose for life?

We started a new company that helps you do just that.  It’s called Purpose Resourcing and so far, we’ve had lots of people signing up for our mailing list and our seminar coming on February 25th!

Check it out!  I’d love your feedback.

Click Here:

Peace!

What is God’s Will for My Life?

I heard it again from someone struggling in their work.  Frustration walking the line with Bitterness, this person asked, “What is God’s will for my life?!”  The cry of millions wanting to do more but feeling lost and unfulfilled in the personal and work life.

I’ve processed that question many times.  I’ve poured over scripture looking for the verse that tells me what I’m supposed to do.  But guess what – the specifics aren’t there!  The question “What is God’s will for my life?” should be shortened to “What is God’s will?”  That’s an easier question to answer.

God’s will is that people come to know Him and be saved.  God’s will is that people would come to know that there is forgiveness, peace and love offered through Jesus and that that message is carried and delivered by us.  God’s will for your life is, if you’re a Christ-follower, that whatever you do with the hours you’ve been given, you ask and act on the question, “How can I best spread the message of Jesus today?”  That’s it.  From there, God doesn’t care what you do for a career.  It is no more holy being a pastor that it is a plumber.  It is no more holy being a worship leader than being a window washer.  God has people in every arena of life to be lights to the world.

Once we understand that, the adventure begins.  The journey of discovering how God made you (your gifts and talents), developing your passions and dreams and then deploying them through your work, family and community.

What is God’s will for your life?  It’s to love Him and to use your gifts for your fulfillment and others – all the while waking up everyday and asking “How can I best be a light to people around me?”

Peace,

My new website:

What’s Your WAKE?

I have a favorite coffee shop in St. Paul.  It’s nothing special but the building sits on the banks of the Mississippi River.  Occasionally, on my way home from work, I’ll grab a Java and stroll along the peaceful waters and watch the wildlife that dart from tree to rock to open sky.

There are barges on this portion of the river, pushing or pulling their tons-weighted, coal filled flat up north then south on it’s way to processing.  I see them.  Sometimes I wave to the weathered captains or stand reverently, admiring their power.  This day, I marveled, not at the power and size of the haul, but at the wake they left in their … well … wake.

The ship cuts in half what was forward and sends the small hills of water port and starboard quarter behind.  Small at the stern, the waves spread wide the further the ship sails until they rhythmically lap on to the banks on which I stand.

It struck me, this day, to ask myself the questions, “What wake do I leave?  When I pass by, how do my words and actions land on the banks of other peoples’ lives?  Are my waves gentle or are they  flooding?  Will people remember my passing gladly or with sorrow?  How do I want my wake to impress?”

I sip my coffee and walk back to my car, thinking about my wake.  God willing, my life leaves a wake of gentle joy.

Peace!