"A hope and a future..."

So October is getting closer....and on the 25th of that month I will be on a plane to Israel, if God's willing! It is sometimes difficult for me to articulate how I feel about this upcoming trip. But Larry Norman, at an encouraging blog I've been reading lately, wrote about how he is going on a trip to Martinique. He wrote what I wish I wrote! He puts into words so clearly the thoughts that are blundering about in my mind, reminding me of the truth that remains despite my anxious feelings or the circumstances I find myself in...the truth and security found in Christ. How refreshing it is to be reminded of that truth!
No matter what happens, God is good.

One of my favorite verses recently has been Psalm 116:7:

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you."

Yes, he has been good indeed! And in Jeremiah 29:11 I have the promise that he will continue to be good to me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God is good. And that is what I was reminded of when I read this post by Larry Norman earlier today. You can read it too, and be reminded of a God who gives us a hope, a hope that's bigger than the small scope of this world and the mountains we face. It is a hope won for us on the cross, and secured for us in the power of his ressurection. What a hope!

"I keep flitting around emotionally on what it will be like in Martinique. First and foremost my battle is trust God that everything will be for my good out there, even if everything doesn't go according to my plan! He promises me that and I know, in my sane moments, He will never, never, never, never break His word.

After that everything kind of just falls into place. I really, really, really will miss my friends and family I think. Yet again I know I shall not lack anything that I need, and hopefully this time will help me bring my wants closer in line to my needs.

So often life is a battle of the heart and the mind. In fact it always is really. Bringing my heart in sync with the truth and not letting it be brainwashed by all the messages this world sends out is really hard. Specifically this means not believing that I have to control everything or that friends, and family are God's greatest gift. They are great but not the greatest. God is the greatest gift. He will never leave me nor forsake me, He will be the strength of my heart and my Portion forever."

-Larry Norman
http://willingwriter.blogspot.com