Crossroads of Life

“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

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Roman’s 8:28 NIV

Recently, I heard a lady share her story of God’s love, grace, protection, redemption, and restoration. One only needed to hear about the changes that have taken place in the heart of this dear sister to see and believe first-hand that God had a good plan for her life. Despite the harm others had caused, out of the ashes of her hopeless situation, a beautiful child of God has arisen—one who seeks His perfect will and guidance, and leans solely on the everlasting arms of Jesus. What amazing, transformative work our Lord has done in the life of someone who now serves Him with such deep passion!

Life can sometimes be full of pain and sorrow, twists and turns that we don’t see coming. Even now, there is no doubt that some of you reading this devotional have been scarred by trauma from your past. Or, you could be going through some rugged places at this moment, such as financial difficulties, health issues, or relationship problems. You may not understand why God has allowed you to endure such a hard thing, like the loss of a loved one or a personal crisis. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. However, I do know Someone who does. Please allow me to share from personal experience what faith in God, through Jesus Christ, has done for me. Rest assured that He wants to do the same for you.

Long ago, I stood at a crossroads—a “Crisis of Belief,” a moment of decision where I had to choose whether to continue living with the pain of my past or to forgive and move forward. I had a choice to leave the hurts from my past behind or allow them to continue eating away at me until I was of no use to my Lord or anyone else. I’m so thankful for the wisdom God gave me to choose the path of forgiveness —for since that time, He has been my constant source of strength, comfort, and peace. He has given me a good life of loving and serving Him. Over the years, I’ve gone through hard places, failed Him miserably at times, suffered unimaginable heart pain, and not always given Him my best. The Good News is that through it all, Jesus has never left me or let my hand slip out of His firm grip of grace and mercy. I stand amazed that His heart was always for me. He has been there to correct and redirect me, and I am eternally thankful. What a comfort it is to know that He is always watching out for me and will never let me go. I can never thank Him enough for caring so much for me.

Today, if you are experiencing a season of uncertainty, pain, sorrow, or anxiety about your future, please remember that God holds your future in His hands and wants to use your experiences to bring you closer to Himself. He does not waste any of the good or bad things that happen in our lives but will use every aspect for His good purposes. He will restore your heart in ways you could never dream of. You will never again want to rely on anyone or anything else above Him but on the sure certainty of His love and protection. He does not change; therefore, you can always depend on Him. God’s plan for your life is so much bigger than what you can see. His Word promises that you will never be alone, regardless of your circumstances. He will always help you maneuver whatever you are going through. He is only a whisper away and is always as close as the mention of His name.

During those times when we don’t understand which way to go, let us remember that we are never alone. God’s promises, found in His Holy Word, are steadfast, reliable, and a testament to His faithfulness. They provide a secure foundation for our lives, instilling us with confidence and hope. As He did for the young lady whose testimony I spoke of above, He also has a good plan for each of us and will help us choose the path that is best for us, and most pleasing to Him.

I’m so thankful that we have a constant source of strength and hope in our lives. Jesus stands ready to meet us at our crossroads of life and change us from the inside out if only we allow Him to.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness and care for Your children will forever amaze me. Your transformative power is beyond our comprehension, but we thank You for being willing to love us that much. Forgive us when we don’t give You our best. Help us not to be caught up in the things of this world; rather, may we depend on You for everything we think, say, and do. Thank You for loving us as You do, enough to send Jesus to die in our place. We deserved death, but in LOVE, You made a way for us to get to You through our faith in Jesus Christ. Help us strive daily to live a life that is pleasing to You, guiding and directing us in all things. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.