I Know the Plans

Good morning, I know that for so many of us it is easy to be confused about where you are in life, especially when it feels as though nothing is going as you've originally planned and you're questioning your purpose and reason for being at Harvard or maybe even just being at all, but, fam, part of faith is taking taking heart in what is unseen and trusting that the God who sees all and knows all is ordering your steps (even and especially in the difficult times). The story of Joseph in Genesis is one of my favorite Biblical narratives because it demonstrates that God can redeem even our worst downfalls and life tragedies for His glory. Knowledge of this fact doesn't eliminate the very real pain and weight of uncertainty that we may feel at times, especially when circumstances get rough-sometimes we have to cry and mourn our difficulties, God doesn't expect us to be less human because He is Sovereign. After all, did not Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus in John 11 fully knowing that He would raise him from the dead moments later? Did he not cry bitterly and sweat tears of blood before He was crucified knowing fully well that He would be vindicated? So, you see, we must allow ourselves the space to feel the weight of hurt and pain when tragedy hits-to do otherwise would minimize our humanity. At the same time, we hold the weight of difficult in tension with knowing that because of the cross and resurrection we can hope in God's restoration power and have reason to hope, to know that we can go on, and to know that though weeping endure for the night, Joy will eventually come in the morning, and even when night seems to be lasting forever, still, His joy will be yours. That's what this song is about, trusting that God knows the plans that He has for His people. It was a word spoken to Israel when they were in captivity: I know the Plans by Martha Munizzi “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11-12, 14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" is the theme of this painting:

Praying for God to hold so many of your hearts this morning-for Him to meet you where you are, heal you where you are broken, bring hope where you've felt despair, and restore the parts that you never believed could be whole again, in Jesus' name, Amen. In Christ, Bolaji