With lock-down rearing its end, matched with the uncertainty of a second wave, I asked God what He wanted to say to His children, and all I got was a “one day at a time”. So on a Sunday afternoon with my house buzzing with excitement about our pending holiday, I felt strongly to pause and write to you to encourage you to take it a day at a time.
We, as humans, usually thrive better when we have it all figured out, and we are working according to plan. Unfortunately, the last few months have taught us that life can sometimes turn on its head and leave us stranded in unknown territories, not knowing what is lingering around the corner. Well, our heavenly Father says, we don’t have to stay stranded on this land; He has a plan to cause everything happening around us to turn out for our good.
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
Jeremiah 29:11 MSG
Looking out my window, I can see how the tree branches swaying away with the wind, with no care or worry about their future; they blossom and enjoy everything the soil and the sun give them. I am inclined to relate our lives to this tree in my garden. A few months ago, it was just the most frustrating thing in our garden, with its leaves littering all over the garden. No matter how many times we cleared the garden, the leaves just littered everywhere and belittled all the work we’ve done in the garden. But with the recent over 35 degrees heat that descended on our land, this same tree became a total blessing. In the heat of the day, it provided us with the perfect shade to enjoy the summer breeze; nobody fussed about how we had despised it months prior.
Interestingly enough, the same can be said of our lives; the ups and downs of it, this roller coaster of a journey we have all been on. For some, the past few months have been months they would rather erase from their lives; for others, it has been a blessing, but what I can say is that, no matter how the days have panned out for you, God says, He has a plan in place that will eventually all come together to work for your good. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails. Proverbs 19:21 MSG
I have had friends who have gone through terrible experiences in the last few months, and others have found this season of lockdown a blessing. In my personal life, spending time with my family has had its perks and pitfalls. We have shared some wonderful memories and explored new things together. At the same time living with my husband and our three children has opened up some bare truths about our relationships, and some days it gets overwhelming, whilst other times, we are so pumped up with faith and hope that we feel we can conquer the world. So hearing God say that in the next few months ahead, we should take it one day at a time has eased off so much burden. Now I feel I can lay down any worry and enjoy every day as it comes. Like I said to a friend recently, we can only make the most of each day and trust God to handle the rest. This brings to mind one of my favourite songs from a while back, “Jesus take the wheel” by Carrie Underwood. Sometimes all we can mutter is, “Jesus take the wheel, take it away from hand, I can’t do this on my own”.
In essence, when I look at my life, the pieces seem so ordinary and so distant from the visions and promises of God for my life. Most times, the days feels longer and harder, and I wonder when all that God has said will be fulfilled, but today once again, I am reminded of a God who is holding together all the pieces of my life and pulling them together for my good. Every experience and every encounter is being fashioned to lead me to the His original intent and plan.
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.
Romans 8:28 TPT
Instead of fretting about an unknown and uncertain future I have no control over, I want to rather sit under His feet and let Him do His work on my behalf. No experience is wasted if there is God in it. So it may be a redundancy, a loss of a loved one, financial insecurity, health issues, whatever shape your burden might be, take a big breath like I just did, and lay it down before the one who knows all things and can actually do something about it. Let Him relieve you of any burden you are carrying and take life one day at a time. You see, when we begin to take one day at a time, life becomes lighter and more enjoyable. We won’t overwhelm ourselves with worry and fret, but rather we can make the most of every opportunity at our disposal.
25 “This is why I tell you to never be worried about your life, for all that you need will be provided, such as food, water, clothing—everything your body needs. Isn’t there more to your life than a meal? Isn’t your body more than clothing? 31 “So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? 33 “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. 34 Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Matthew 6:25, 31-34 TPT
Ultimately, God has a big plan to cause our lives to bring Him glory but to get us there, every day, He hands us a bit of that plan. Because it comes in fragments, we might easily dismiss it as non-essential, but if we can understand that all the fragments are from God and they will all lead us to our destiny, we will value everything thrown our way. We will work the work of our Father in everything we do. We won’t be stuck in one place waiting for the breakthrough, but we will see every day as an opportunity for the breakthrough. Jesus didn’t wait for the Jews to believe in Him before He started working. He worked all His miracles in the midst of the doubt and criticism. Likewise, we can’t wait for everything to fall in place before we get busy with whatever God has laid on our hearts. I want to wake up every day with the desire to make the most of the day, to be a blessing in whatever endeavour.
So I want to encourage you to take the rest of the days ahead of you, one day at a time. God has a plan that includes you becoming all He planned for you to be. In the highs and lows of life, let this truth sink in your heart and be strengthened that your best days are right ahead of you.
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May you be filled with the Fullness of God and the Power of His Love!
