Not so Smart

Cheri Strange

Day 1: What if You Were the Plan?

What if you were The Plan? It’s kind of a radical yet awe-inspiring question, all at the same time, isn’t it? You. God’s plan for making a difference. If this were true, would it make any difference in how you approached your day? Would your choices remain the same? Could this possibly alter your attitude toward…everything?

It’s a least a place to begin. And that we will. Welcome. I’m so glad you are here. You will find Scripture at the beginning of each daily reading before the devotional. Along the way, there might be some free stuff added. Mostly, I want you to feel invited in. Go ahead and look around. It’s comfortable around here. Not perfect, for sure. Remember, I have eight kids. Thank you for your patience. May God richly bless your seeking and the time you spend in the study of His Word.

Scripture

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev. 21:1-2

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:3

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11

 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Devotional Material: What if  You Were the Plan?

God’s divine plan for utilizing you and I as instruments for bringing hope into impossible situations sounds about as genius as leaving my twin adolescent boys home alone for the weekend and handing over my credit cards. It just doesn’t seem smart. Surely there is a better pathway, one that is guaranteed to succeed. Why couldn’t God use a few millionaires, pro-athletes, and movie stars with international platforms, maybe rain down some hail to smite the bad guys and right some wrongs, or drop a few other miracles now and then to remedy the world’s catastrophic atrocities and disasters? I mean, He is God. Can’t He fix all that is wrong in the world?

Yes, He can. And He will.

Until that time arrives, His plan is you. Oh, He doesn’t need you… but He has fitted you perfectly into His plan. It’s what He did with salvation.

The Bible illuminates the ugly reality in our lives that each of us has sinned before a perfect and holy God. Our only hope is Jesus Christ. When we recognize our own brokenness, receive salvation and begin a relationship with God the Father, the Bible assures us that we are made new. We are completely transformed from the inside out, given the rights and privileges of the very children of God, Himself. That’s more than being handed a heavenly credit card without limit. It’s winning the heavenly lottery!

If you and I could embrace our divine reality, we would approach our earthly presence differently. We would begin seeing ourselves as God’s mechanism for bringing others into this glorious existence. Our eyes could be opened to more than personal needs and desires. Life would become less about us and more about…them.

What if you and I began discerning God’s heart to extend His Hand to those in dark places or disparaging circumstances who have no help and no hope?

What if you really began to embrace the reality that you are the plan?

For the next 21 days, take your divine reality lived out in your earthly presence at step further. Give something up. Food, caffeine, social media, Me Time, anything that would signify—I’m serious about seeking your face and learning how I can participate in what You are doing.

Then pray. Ask God to show Himself to you and His purpose for you.

Only God knows what may come from it!

with much affection,

 

 

To begin this plan on Bible.com or the YouVersion App click here.

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