Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [Living Bible translation]
Ephesians 4:31-32 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen….Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another….[New International translation]
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make straight your path. [Living Bible translation]
Summary
The Bible is full of the promises of GOD. It is about the lives of individual people and it is about how a nation of people, the Israelites, rose from nothing, to greatness. The Bible is full of stories of people who, in faith, allowed GOD to have HIS WAY. Ordinary people had faith and lived extraordinary lives, because they “LET GO and LET GOD.”
In Jeremiah 29:11 the writer says that GOD “knows” the plans he has for “you.” Think about it. It does make sense. After all, GOD is all knowing (i.e., Omniscient). In other words, GOD “sees” all aspects of time---the past, the present and the future. Planning is about taking action, engaging in a process or designing steps so that some future outcome can be achieved. But not only can GOD “see” the future, GOD has unique ability to “design” futures. HOW? Well, GOD after all, is all powerful (i.e., Omnipotent). GOD has the ability to “breathe” life into “dead situations.” Just think of the very creation of humanity, when GOD “breathed the breath of life” into humanity. See, Genesis 2:7.
We can also rely on GOD’s plans for each of us individually, because GOD, unlike City Planning division, or any other “human” organization, which has limited resources, limited staff and often finds itself, bogged down in paperwork with hundreds of other sorts of plans, GOD can plan for “each of us at the same time.” There is not wait time, no waiting line, no borders, no boundaries, no concern for “being overlooked,” because GOD can be with each of us, no matter where we are located in the world, at the same time. GOD is everywhere (i.e., Omnipresent). And GOD LOVES us all (i.e., Omnibenevolent), caring about each and every one of us. If we travel to China, GOD IS. If we travel to South America, GOD IS. If we go to North or South Korean, GOD IS.
GOD is uniquely qualified and capable of being a MASTER DESIGNER and PLANNER.
HE deserves our faith. We, therefore, should, LET GO and LET GOD.
But, so often, we don’t. Ephesians 4 provides some understanding, why we don’t just “LET GO.” According to Ephesians 4:31, we all have a tendency to let unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. For example:
- When was the last time you mentioned you were “growing old” instead of “growing in the LORD”?
- When was the last time you “worried,” or thought about what you “can’t do” instead of what thinking of the thousands of things GOD is capable of doing, or of all the things GOD has already done for you?
- When was the last time you completely turned some “impossible” situation in your life or some “impossible person” on your job totally over to GOD, refusing to think about it or even talk about it?
- How many times have you tried to make plans, based on “what you wanted,” “how you felt,” “based on your financial situation,” without consulting GOD?
- How many times have you “thrown in the towel,” on homework, determined that “you can’t do it,” felt like a failure, not filled out an application, not gone for an interview, decided not to work or play or try because you couldn’t “see” what difference it would make?
In other words, it is our own tendencies to “rely on our own understanding” or to talk ourselves out of “moving in a direction” GOD wants us to go, that often causes us to not LET GO, or lose faith (in ourselves or others) and not LET GOD.
If we are to become GOD’s champions, we must believe in our minds, our hearts and with the very words that come out of our mouth, GOD IS WHO GOD IS!
WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?
Many of us were mesmerized watching the skills of those men and women in the Winter and Summer Olympics. We watch the Olympians or the skills displayed by professional athletes playing football, basketball, baseball, running track, skiing, ice-skating, running track or engaging in other sports and most think “I could never do that, in a million years.”
And, it is often that kind of “limited” thinking that separates those who become champions and those who don’t. According to many coaches, trainers, sports psychologist and others who train, study and work with champions, there is a certain “mindset” associated with champions. Many people have athletic abilities, but what often distinguished the champions from even very gifted athletes is a certain mindset. These are a few things that are mentioned:
- Champions are dreamers. They expect to win. That is, they see themselves winning even before it happens. They are optimistic. They are confident. Some might say they have faith. Or, as one writer put it, their faith is far greater than their fears.
They often think their best days are ahead of them, not behind. - Champions don’t focus on the faults of others or even their own faults or weaknesses. Instead, they focus on what they can do better. They work at improving themselves day after day, after day, so they can get stronger and better and wiser at doing what they are doing. Some say they are lifelong learners. They have a passion to excel.
- Champions tend to be coachable, they take responsibility, they “show up,” they focus on their “gifts” they have been given. They often see their training and work as fulfilling a higher purpose, not for just a short-lived goal or gain.
See or read some of the following references: “Begin Your Day the Olympian Way, The Fastrack to Leadership Gold,” by Olympian Marilyn Kind & Emmett Miller, MD; “5 Ways to Think Like An Olympian,” by Jon Gordon, http://www.jongordon.com/positive-tip-think-like-a-champion.html;
HAVE FAITH AND BE GOD’S CHAMPION
GOD is still a champion maker. GOD is still looking for “just ordinary people,” willing to follow HIM and allow HIM to let them do extraordinary things, to HIS GLORY. GOD still does thing “exceedingly,” “abundantly,” “beyond” and “above all” we ask or think or plan. (Ephesians 3:20)
So today, let go and let GOD. LET GO and LET GOD. LET GOD and LET GO.
Exercise and have faith. Eat right. Speak right. Think right.
Be GOD’s champion and BE BLESSED!
