In the Bible, when Noah was born, his father, Lamech, spoke a prophecy over his life. He said Noah would “comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed” (Genesis 5:29). When Lamech spoke this over his newborn son, he didn’t know what that would mean in the future.
Imagine being Noah. Maybe his dad reminded him all the time about this prophecy that was spoken over him. Or maybe Noah had no idea there was a big plan for his life.
We can all relate in some way. Perhaps your parents crafted you to be the perfect athlete or the next doctor in the family. Or maybe you have no idea who you’re going to be because no one has ever set that expectation for your life.
Some of us have tons of hopes and dreams for the future. We plan every tiny detail because we know exactly where we’re going and what we want to do. While others of us may be floating along waiting to feel that spark for something we love.
In any situation, God has the right to completely change our plans. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t give us the desires of our hearts, this simply means His purpose prevails in the face of the plans we make for ourselves. He has a purpose for each and every one of us, and we have the opportunity to live out that purpose.
Maybe in high school you told everyone you were going to be a heart surgeon, but when you came to college you experienced a love for teaching that crafted a new passion in your heart. That doesn’t mean that you failed or that you were wrong, it simply means you had more to learn about yourself and the things available to you.
God closes the doors we aren’t meant to walk through. You are never missing any opportunity in your life because He knows exactly where you need to be in every moment. He opens the doors we need to walk through.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Doors open that lead to heartbreak, confusion, maybe even an entire mess, but walking through those doors moves us closer to God and the plans He has for our lives.
Noah lived for 600 years before the flood that his ark was made for. Maybe when Noah was a kid he desired something else for his life. Yet God called him to build an ark that sat, useless in his yard for YEARS!
When we’re going through college it’s hard to see the progress we’re making for the future but every experience is leading us closer and closer to everything God has for us, even if the progress involves hard times or failed moments.
People mocked the ark in Noah’s yard. People thought he was crazy.
But then Noah was the one called to save his family during the flood. Noah was the one who saved the animals. Noah was the first man to step foot on land after the flood cleared.
Your purpose has meaning. The Lord has amazing plans for you, even if you don’t know what they are yet.
With Love,
GVSU Delight Ministries
GVSU Delight Ministries 