I have been forgetting something oh so important, and I hope that this reminder can bless someone else as much as it has blessed me.
God has an individual and personalized plan for each and every one of His children. Just as no two people are alike, no life, plan for that life, or human journey is identical or looks the same. Our Heavenly Father has created this world with a lot of diversity. The beauty of that is that although as followers of Jesus Christ we are working towards one large and ultimate goal, we don't all get there in the same way. We all come from different circumstances, different backgrounds and families. We've all had different experiences, we all have different personalities, desires, interests, and characteristics, and we are all needed in different places at different times. It is silly to compare our life and where we're at with someone else, because we are different. As I've taken some bigger "growing up" steps in my life recently and as I have been thrust into a bigger world, I have found myself playing the comparison game way too much, and it only makes you unhappy!! I get on social media or I talk to people at work or school and everyone else seems to be out in the world doing big things, but not me! I'm not traveling to do humanitarian work in another country, I'm not moving out to be on my own just yet, and at this point in my life anyway, I'm not submitting mission papers. Those are just a few examples of course, but sometimes I feel like because I'm not doing all of those things, I am somehow falling short. I am somehow not as good or progressing as much as those around me, because my plan doesn't quite match theirs. THAT IS NOT TRUE. Satan loves when we compare ourselves to other people and he loves to make us feel inadequate and overwhelmed because when we feel that way, he succeeds in distracting us from the special and unique plan that Heavenly Father has created for each one of us individually. The funny thing is, when I really stop and take the time to pray and ask Heavenly Father what I need to be doing, I realize that I feel complete peace and affirmation with where I am right now in life and with what I'm doing. Unfortunately, the adversary has succeeded in causing me to become distracted and to look everywhere else for that affirmation, and comparing my life plan to the life plans of others hasn't helped me feel that peace at all.
I was talking to my dad about all of these concerns of mine a couple days ago and he reminded me that we don't always need to travel far to find purpose and work to do. Sometimes we don't realize why we are needed in a certain place at a certain time, but if we trust Heavenly Father and continually ask him for guidance as we move along in life, He will help lead us to where we need to be, even if that means staying where we are. My steps may not appear as big as someone else's from the outside, but to me, they're big steps and most importantly, the steps are being taken in God's timing and they're following His plan for ME. I am slowly learning to be more happy with my own individual journey and the personality and characteristics I have that allow me the opportunity to do great things on that journey. I have been forgetting to rely on Jesus Christ like I should be, and when we forget to trust Him and to put our faith in Him, we become doubtful, fearful, and feel lost. He loves us. He understands us perfectly; our limitations, our strengths, our fears, our desires, and He has a plan that fits and molds those things beautifully.
Don't forget to trust that all loving creator who wants to see you happy and who will always help you in your efforts to build up His kingdom.
