God Has a Plan

In May of this year, my wife and I drove our middle child to the military processing center in Des Moines.  He signed on for six years of active duty in the United States AirForce.  We could not be more proud of him and what he has decided to do for his country (at only eighteen years old no less).  

The act of moving him from the processing center to the airport was stressful.  There were so many new recruits that the computer system stalled out at the center, and they ended up getting my son to his shuttle about an hour late.  At that point, his plane had already begun taxying down the runway and lifting off.  This kicked off a string of events that involved confusion, placing frantic phone calls, and re-booking hotel stays for that night because he and his fellow recruits couldn't get another flight.

Rest assured, he finally made it to his destination.  As of this moment, he has completed his eight weeks of basic training, and is two weeks into tech school.  It turns out that he will study aircraft maintenance while he stays in Texas at the base.  

Needless to say, my wife and I have been a bit emotional about the whole thing.  He went directly from walking across the high school graduation stage, to doing push ups and sit ups for the military.  I suspect it must have felt like culture shock for the poor kid.  He did really well however, and his drill instructor actually promoted him to element leader of his squadron!

During times like this, I often find myself thinking about a rather famous Scripture from Jeremiah.  It's one of those pieces of wisdom that reminds me that God really does care for us like a wise and loving Father.  It says, "For I know the plans I have for you, 'declares the Lord,' plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer 29:11).  

I suspect this applies to a great many young people today.  Because a future is what many people cannot seem to relate to anymore.  So much chaos going on lately.  A teenager or young adult can often feel like there are limited options, not enough money, or that things are just too overwhelming.  Not many have the fortitude to voluntarily sign up for the structure that the military can provide - less than 1% of the population by current estimates.  

For those who do demonstrate this level of courage, I think it is more of a calling than a job choice.  God bless our veterans and our service men and women.  They have chosen a career of noble sacrifice and difficult work.  The life of the average enlisted person often consists of moving from place to place, being re-assigned on short notice, or even going into dangerous areas of the world.  

It comforts me to know that God has a plan in place for each of us.  Especially when I think that this plan includes a prosperous future, fully vetted and thought through by Christ himself.  Can we decide to stray from His path and invite trouble into our lives?  That is always a possibility.  And if we are being honest, sometimes bad things do happen to good people; that is just how life in a sinful world works.  

But think about what a relief it is, to understand that God sees us in a way that venerates and encourages us.  Rather than focusing on fear or all of the things that might go wrong - we can choose to rest in His Word and live out Jeremiah 29:11.  If God has given you a call to serve in the military, then go and investigate that calling.  If He has placed inside of you a deep desire to evangelize and lead people to Christ, then honor that as well.  

To know God and love him is what separates us from those who wander through life in a daze, often resigned to frustration and a feeling of spiritual emptiness.  The Lord has a future for you, and it is full of hope.  Have you directed your steps toward that future?  Did you even know it was available?  Unfortunately, many people do not.  

As I write this, my son is set to ship out and be stationed somewhere after tech school.  I don't know if this will be Japan or Joplin.  But one thing I do know, is that he understands he is loved and supported.  We call him almost every day, and I'm sure it's probably a little annoying.  But when you are trying to guide one of your children through life, it can help to be a little stubborn.  

If God were not persistent with you and I - would we have ended up as Christians?  Or would we still be wondering through life with that nagging empty feeling in our hearts?  I think we both know the answer to that.  I am happy to view my future through His lens.  

.