Trusting God's Plan: Embracing the Unknown in Our Story

How often do we find ourselves wanting to know how our story will end? Whether it's in books or in life, our curiosity often gets the best of us. We want to skip ahead, flip to the last page, and find out how everything will turn out. We want to know if the characters will find love, if they will achieve their goals, if they will survive. We crave certainty and assurance, and we want to avoid the uncertainty and suspense of the in-between chapters.

But what if I told you that we don't need to know how our story will end? What if I told you that the author of our story knows the ending, and that every twist and turn is part of a greater plan? The Bible tells us that God is the author of our faith, and that he knows the plans he has for us (Hebrews 12:2, Jeremiah 29:11).

Just like a skilled author, God knows how to craft a compelling narrative. He knows how to create tension and suspense, how to develop characters, and how to bring everything together in a satisfying conclusion. He knows how to use unexpected events and trials to shape us and mold us, to teach us important lessons and to grow our faith.

In the Bible, we see countless examples of people who wanted to know how their stories would end. Abraham and Sarah waited for years to have a child, unsure if God would fulfill his promise to make them the parents of a great nation. Joseph was sold into slavery and thrown into prison, unsure if he would ever be free again. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, unsure if they would ever reach the promised land.

But in each of these stories, we see that God's timing is perfect, and his plans are good. Abraham and Sarah did have a son, Isaac, who became the father of the nation of Israel. Joseph eventually rose to power in Egypt and saved his family from famine. The Israelites did reach the promised land, and God fulfilled his promise to them.

These stories remind us that even when we can't see how our story will end, we can trust in God's faithfulness. We can trust that he is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see how. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

So how can we learn to trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we can't see how our story will end? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Fix your eyes on Jesus: In Hebrews 12:2, we are encouraged to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we focus on him, we can trust that he knows the ending of our story and that he is leading us to a beautiful destination. Just as a reader trusts the author to guide them through the twists and turns of a story, we can trust Jesus to guide us through the ups and downs of life.

2. Remember God's promises: The Bible is filled with promises from God, and we can cling to these promises when we're tempted to doubt. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "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." When we remember that God has good plans for us, we can have confidence in his faithfulness.

3. Embrace the in-between chapters: Just as the in-between chapters of a book are important for character development, the in-between chapters of our lives are important for our spiritual growth. They teach us patience, trust, and reliance on God. Instead of trying to skip ahead, let's embrace the lessons and growth that can happen in the waiting.

4. Trust in God's sovereignty: God is sovereign, which means that he is in control of all things. Even when we can't see how our story will end, we can trust that God is working all things according to his plan. Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Our plans may fail, but God's purpose will prevail.

In conclusion, we don't need to know how our story will end. We can trust that God, the author of our faith, knows the ending and is leading us on a beautiful journey. Even in the in-between chapters, we can find growth and purpose. So let's fix our eyes on Jesus, remember his promises, embrace the waiting, and trust in God's sovereignty.