Where I'm Meant to Be

Read Ephesians 3: 8-20

When I (Paul) think of the wisdom and scope of his plan I fall down on my knees and pray to the Father of all the great family of God - some of them already in Heaven and some down here on earth - that out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God's children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.

Now glory be to God who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. May he be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of his master plan of salvation for the Church through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3: 14-20 (TLB)

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. Jeremiah 29:11 (TLB)

Nancy Dombek lives in Ohio. When she got married, Nancy and her husband had four cats that were allowed to move freely inside and outside of the house. After they moved, they had to keep them in their barn for a month while they acclimated to their new home. Cats have a strong instinct to return to familiar surroundings. Each time, Nancy opened the barn door, she had to shut it quickly to block their cats' escape. But one day their cat Muffin got out before Nancy could block her. As Nancy ran after her, she hid under some bushes and meowed in protest. Nancy said, "Muffin, I know you don't understand, but right now the barn is where you need to be."

When Nancy later had to change jobs, leaving a position she loved, she complained to God. At her most desperate moment, Nancy recalled the words she had spoken to Muffin and felt God telling her that she was where she needed to be.

So often we can't see God's purpose for us. We complain, bargain, and try to escape our situation. But God's goals are not our goals. It may be difficult, but if we believe God is with us, we can trust the One "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."

Prayer: Dear God, help us to trust that you know where we need to be. Grant us patience with your timing, in Jesus' name. Amen.