A Purpose

“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

 

On the way to work this morning I started thinking about a car accident I almost had in college.  I got distracted when I thought I saw someone I knew.  After staring for several seconds to convince myself that it was them I looked back to the road.  There was a car stopped directly in front of me turning left.  I didn’t even have time to brake.  I spun the wheel to the right, then the left and around the car I went, barely missing a mailbox in the process.

 

My hands gripped the steering wheel.  I should have hit that car.  It seemed like my car had moved contrary to the laws of physics to shoot around a car that I should have rear-ended at full speed.  How had I not hit that car?  The only explanation was God.  To this day I fully believe that an angel pushed my car around the other car.

 

As I was thinking about this I suddenly heard these words in my spirit, “I saved you for a purpose.”  I was stunned.  I didn’t know what to say or think.  I turned off the radio and tried to collect my thoughts.  I was afraid to say anything for fear of saying something wrong.  God saved me for a purpose?

 

Some perspective…  I believe that God orders your steps and will lead you in life.  And there have been times that I’ve felt that God was leading me in certain directions.  I would know in my heart what decision or action I should make in a situation.  But in those times I just had a feeling or an inclination.  Even when I moved from Indianapolis to St Louis it was just a feeling.  I knew it was something that God wanted me to do.  This was different.  I felt words spoken into my heart.  For the first time that I can remember I feel like God truly spoke to me.

 

Even now I feel the impact of those words.  I know that for some time now I’ve been lax in my spiritual walk.  I haven’t been studying God’s Word as I should.  I haven’t been praying as I should.  I haven’t been growing in my walk with God.  I’ve been floating and adrift.  I’ve felt useless.  And despite all of this, God still has a purpose for me.

 

I have changes to make in my life.  I will pray and study God Word with fervor.  I will let go of the cynicism and sarcasm in my heart and replace it with God’s Love.  I will do everything in my power to truly reflect God’s Love in my daily walk.  I will prepare my mind and heart to fulfill the purpose God has for me.

 

When I am ready God will direct my steps in a new direction.  It may or may not be soon.  It may or may not be a direction I expect.  But I will be ready.