“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This wisdom from the Prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon encourages us to look beyond challenges and keep our attention on God. It also reminds us that we’re never separate (exiled) from God, so we can believe in a bright future.
- When a prophet speaks in sacred scripture, we’re invited to transform our thoughts and actions, especially to look beyond difficulties and focus on God and God’s essence within us.
- Despite feeling that we must endure life’s upsets, we need not fall into pits of despair. As soon as we can stop looking at the problem and can say something like, “I wish this would end, improve, etc.,” we are turning toward hope.
- A wish is a great desire to realize more of God’s life within us. Once we recognize our wish, we can align ourselves with God and act with strength, faith, and assurance. For example, as soon as we stop complaining about a job we hate, we can redo our resume, post it on Indeed, and gather references for the new job that will truly prosper and fulfill us.
- In Healing Letters, a collection of her writings, Metaphysician Myrtle Fillmore teaches: “God will reveal the plan to those who seek it, and will open the way of progress and success to those who are willing to give up preconceived opinions and grasp the Truth as the Holy Spirit [the activity of God] reveals it.”
- Demonstration is your evidence of what does or doesn’t work in your life. You demonstrate the activity of God in you, through you, and as you when you act with hope. This means that you don’t just sit around begging and wishing for anything. You pray affirmatively, knowing that God is the Substance and Source of all you need. Even if you don’t have a complete picture of your best plan, you trust in God and your intuition (your inner wisdom) because you know that God is always unconditionally loving and infinitely compassionate. Therefore, you know that whatever is unfolding is for good.
- Myrtle Fillmore also offers this assurance in Healing Letters: “When we are doing as God would have us do, God takes wonderful care of us, not by always bringing supplies and placing them at our feet, but by showing us how to use our resources in a way to convert them into whatever we need or would use.”
Contemplation Questions:
As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:
- What challenge(s) am I experiencing now?
- List, word map, or illustrate whatever applies.
- How have I been focusing more on the challenge(s) than on God and my intuition?
- List, word map, or illustrate where your focus has been.
- What resources are already available for me?
- List, word map, or illustrate all available people, places, things, ideas, etc.
- What is my intuition guiding me to do with these resources?
- Without forcing or struggling, breathe deeply and listen for your first thought. Then list, word map, or illustrate your intuitive guidance.
- What are at least three (3) ways I can follow through on my guidance?
- List, word map, or illustrate as much as you discern.
As you use this devotional, avoid thinking of God as a vindictive taskmaster. And stop affirming that God only gives you what you can handle. Remember: God doesn’t give you things to handle. God is the divine life energy within you that guides you in how best to live. So, no matter what may be happening in your life, don’t despair. Put feet on your prayers, trust your intuition, and live your story true.
© 2023 – Rev Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
Photo from Shutterstock by dugdax.
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