Listen to the Maestro

Today’s scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Mark Shoup):

When I was a kid, we didn’t have X-Box 360 or Wii. In fact, we didn’t have cell phones or computers, and our television only got 3 stations. In short, if you wanted to be entertained, you usually had to come up with something on your own. Our family would often put together jigsaw puzzles, and sometimes days after, a single piece would turn up under a chair or somewhere. It was often impossible to tell what picture a puzzle would form, when looking at just one small isolated piece.

The same is true of God’s plan for us. We often only know a small fragment of God’s whole plan or picture for our lives, and though we might want to know all of it at once, that’s not what we get. God’s ways and God’s time are different than our ways and time, and it is not for us to know more than we are ready for at any particular moment.

The concept is similar to the many different instruments in an orchestra. As a saxophone player, I’m used to having my series of notes to play, and even if I play perfectly (a rarity I assure you), you would seldom recognize the song from just my part. An orchestra, like God’s Kingdom, takes many parts working together to become something beautiful.

So when God is saying “wait”, but you want to go, just remember that God is the conductor and has the entire score in mind. All you have is your part. It may not seem like much on its own, but if you allow God to conduct you, your small part will be a beautiful component of a masterful symphony.

Thought for the day: Are you letting God conduct your life, or are you trying to make everything into a solo?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.