All around me, a landscape of blooms burst forth in vivid colors. Bright yellow, golden orange, pure white, and deep crimson mums displayed their glory. Scanning the collection of mums before me, I knew I had a decision to make – choose one in full bloom or one not yet at its ultimate peak. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a large mum with tightly closed buds. Weaving my way through the bright display, I wondered what color lay hidden, waiting to unfold.
I was intrigued. Do I choose what I already know, or do I go with the unknown and watch the unfolding day by day? On the one hand, I was excited about the possibility of watching the tiny buds gradually reveal their grandeur; but on the other hand, I had a plan for how I wanted my fall décor to look. What if the color didn’t look how I imagined?
So it is with life. We have a picture of how things are going to turn out and in what time frame. But what if things don’t turn out as we imagine?
What is God’s Ultimate Plan?
Friend, do you struggle with wanting to know the ultimate plan God has for your life? Do you impatiently wait for God to reveal a specific outcome and struggle with trusting God in the unknown? When you look out over the landscape of your ministry, career, or friends, do you see others who are blooming vibrantly in their callings and feel like your life is the tightly closed bud waiting to unfold? I know I do.
In my season of waiting met with frustration and impatience, God gently whispered something to my soul that I want to share with you.
He knows the deepest part of you. He created the potential that lies beneath the tightly closed bud; in His perfect timing, He will reveal it. Just be patient.
David writes in Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV):
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
This passage reminds us that God knows the deepest, most intimate parts of our very soul. While in our mother’s womb He knit us together and saw our unformed body.
The phrase “woven together” refers to being skillfully formed and created with a mix of colors. Like a potter molds an intricate clay sculpture or an artist creates a one of a kind painting, God created within each of us a beautiful masterpiece filled with colorful and intricate detailing. We are distinct, set apart, and marked out for a specific purpose.
While it may be easy to grasp the concept of being known, set apart, and created by God, being patient while waiting for God to reveal His plan is hard. We want to know the path and the answers now. The last thing we want to do is wait.
Hope in the waiting
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) tells us, “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.” In this passage, Jeremiah speaks words of encouragement to the exiles who were waiting for God to fulfill His promise and return them to their homeland. Seventy years would pass before they returned home, but in the meantime, they were to settle down, work, and pray. Like the exiles, God has a plan full of hope for each one of us. We must slow down, pray, and allow him to work in the shelter and protection of the secret places.
Remember, David tells us God ordained the days of our lives. Before we were born He knew every detail. It’s not for us to run ahead of Him because we have a specific picture in our mind of how things are to go. We must trust the Lord to establish our steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV) When we trust Him instead of relying on our plans and understanding, He will reveal His perfect path. (Proverbs 3:5,6 NIV)
The unfolding
Friend, remember the mum with the tightly closed buds? Well, I chose that mum and placed it right outside my door so that I could see it frequently throughout my day. Each morning I faithfully watered and watched for changes taking place until one morning, I noticed a few buds ever so slightly unfolding. Slowly – day by day – a gentle hint of bronze peaked through until finally, an array of brilliant bronze color burst forth in full bloom.
Such as it is with God’s plan for our lives. In His perfect timing, He will slowly – day by day – begin to unfold the hidden potential that lies beneath the tightly closed bud of His plan. And after years of patiently watering and tending the life, He’s given, we will one day see the glorious display of His beautiful creation. Our lives will reveal the masterpiece He created us to be, doing good works that He planned in advance. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
Do you struggle with impatience as you wait for the Lord to unfold the tightly closed bud of His plan for your life? Before you move on with your day take a few minutes to talk with the Lord. Be honest and journal your thoughts as you share your heart and struggles with Him. Then close your time with the following prayer.
Dear Lord, Thank you for knowing and seeing me before I was born. Thank you for weaving me together in your perfect image. On those days when I struggle with impatience – ready to force myself down the path I envision – help me trust your plan. Assure me that in your perfect timing you will unfold the hidden potential that lies beneath the tightly closed bud of your plan. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In His Calm,
