Just a Simple Man

I can't see God's future plan for my life. I don't know what's ahead.
And that's okay.

Because it's not about me.
Because it's not about my significance.
Because it's not about my qualifications.
Because it's not about my inadequacies.
Because it's not about me.

My life is just a tiny piece in the larger scope of God's plan. And it's God's plan. I don't want to get caught up in the tiny picture of my life (with all its decisions, choices and troubles); I want to see the bigger picture of God's plan, where I merely play a small role.

Maybe you all haven't noticed from the themes of my recent posts, but I've really been struggling with some decisions in my life that seem really big right now (i.e. college). It's called "there's-a-bunch-of-options-and-I-don't-know-which-one-God-wants-me-to-chose." (And it doesn't help that I am naturally an indecisive person.)

Anyway, this Brandon Heath song has been on constant replay on my ipod. I kid you not, there are some days where I play it up to 30 times. At least. Serious. It's been such an encouraging reminder that God is sovereign and has my life all panned out... not to mention that it's just a catchy song. =)

So take a few minutes, and be blessed:

I'm just a simple man

A little part of a bigger plan

Everything that gives me worth, God, it's you

So take the rest of me

Cause you got the best of me

Everything good in me comes from you

.

Two Years

Today marks the second anniversary of my blog! =) When I first started Blooming in Christ, I never knew how much I would enjoy writing. I never knew how much I could encourage others through writing. I never knew how much I would come to love this blog.

Over these past two years, I have learned many lessons just through blogging. I'm amazed at how God can use something so simple as my little blog to teach me so much! Here are just a few things I've come to realize about my blog:

1. You don't have to meet someone in person to become good friends with them.
2. I should not blog for affirmation. (In others words, the reason I blog is not to get tons of comments or followers.)
3. My purpose for blogging is to put in words what God is teaching me 1) to promote and glorify God, 2) to create a kind of visual journal of God's grace in my life -- for my sake, and 3) to encourage my readers in Christ.

Thank you to those who have stuck around these two years! I hope to continue writing for more years to come!

~Chloe

Waiting for a Sign...

Our culture seems to expect young people to have their life planned out by the time they graduate high school. Once the senior year rolls around -- and even before -- the reoccurring questions seem to be, "What college are you going to?" "What do you want to major in?" "What are your future plans?" With all of the huge, significant choices that life brings, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the fear of making the wrong choice.

Lately, I've found myself wondering, how do I know what God wants me to do? What if I chose the wrong thing? I just wish I could know God's will for my life! When I, or most other people, talk about the "will of God," I think they're usually looking for a specific sign from God, or an "open door" for God's specific plan for their future. In Scripture, however, God doesn't often reveal a person's life plan to them in advance. Abraham, for example, left everything he knew to follow God... without knowing anything about his future.

So here's the thing about the will of God: you can't always know it.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8).

I think some of us have this notion that we can "mess up" God's plan. We become paralyzed with the questions and decisions of life. The fear of making a wrong choice keeps us from committing to anything. So we sit. And wait. We want a specific answer from God before we move forward.But when I don't know God's will, how do I know what direction I should take? Maybe the question isn't What is the will of God? but rather What should I be doing right now so that God can lead me? Instead of waiting for a "sign," I should be moving forward. Stepping out.

God may not verbally reveal His plan, but He sure does guide. Take the time to read Proverbs 3:5-6 (and really read it): Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. If we trust in God's sovereignty, He promises to direct our paths. But God can't direct our paths if we aren't moving forward.

It's okay not to know the future. Although God doesn't always give us our life story in advance, He does require us to step out in faith and move forward in confidence. So do something. Develop your skills and talents. Pursue your interests. Look into all of your options. You may find something that God wants you to continue doing.... Or, He may shut the door in your face. But either way, don't just stand around doing nothing.

Instead on focusing on the great unknown future, find a way to follow God now. God is sovereign. You can't mess up His plan. Move forward and trust that He will lead you exactly where you need to be.

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Takeing every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

.