If I were to count how many challenging weeks I’ve had in my life so far, this week would undoubtedly be one of them. It didn’t start off that way however. On Sunday, I was leading praise and worship at my home church and even chaired the church service. It was a wonderful day of celebrating the risen Christ...the Zambian way! My mother preached a sermon simply entitled “The Celebration” alluding to the celebration that Mary Magdalene had when she came face to face with the risen Christ. And so, with that in mind, I was ready to have a wonderful week ahead. But alas, despite my efforts to do so, it seemed I got bad news after bad news. I was left deflated. My relationships were failing, some friendships broken, an employment opportunity gone wrong, plans going in disarray...to mention but a few. I am seldom the person that openly shares feelings, one of my many flaws no doubt, and the whole time, all this was eating me up inside. I kept thinking...what is it that I must be doing so horribly wrong in my life? Was this the life that God had planned for me? Was my best not good enough any longer? Doors were closing left and right and I felt numb...and depressed.
While having breakfast this morning, my parents, in their usual cheerful manner, reminded me of something that really convicted me. See, sometimes we make plans for how we want our lives to go, in a place where it’s most convenient and comfortable for us, but then, where does that leave God’s plans for us? God, in His infinite power and love, has the best plans for our lives, “plans to give us hope and a future, plans to prosper us and not to harm us,” (Jeremiah 29:11) and He has also promised that if we trust in Him with all our hearts and not lean on our own understanding, He and He alone will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). It seems along the way, I had forgotten these words and had been relying on my own understanding, trying to do it my way, and the end result was that I was left frustrated. Doors were closing around me and that was all I could see. My parents reminded me that when a door closes, another one WILL SURELY be opened! Many are the time that when a door closes we focus so intently on the shut door we miss out on seeing the other open door.
As I write this, I am not entirely sure what that open door looks like and what it has in store for me, but I am assured of this one thing, that no matter what, God’s got my back. If I trust Him to lead me, He will surely unveil His awesome plans that He has for my life.
Whatever storms of life you may be going through, I urge that you are reminded of the words of Jesus in the midst of the storm, “Peace, be still.” And remember, when one door closes, another will surely be opened!
May you be blessed.
Thank you for posting this. I've been going through a frustrating season of my life as well, and definitely needed to read this today. When things don't go the way we expect them to go, it's good to know that it won't always be this way. God still has a plan, even if we don't always understand it.
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