“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

As I was seeking the Lord about what my devotional would be for today, I felt that He was nudging me to not focus on what has happened and is happening in this time of COVID-19, but to look FORWARD to what He is calling us to.

I know you have probably heard, as I have, people saying that they can’t wait for things to get “back to normal.”  Well, I don’t think that as we transition through this season, God is calling us BACK to where we were before. I don’t believe He wants us to just pick-up where we left off.

Brothers & Sisters!  The Lord wants us to go FORWARD into a new season, a new reality, and a new “normal.”  It can be a little scary and a little unsettling not to know what to expect as we journey into the remainder of 2020 and beyond.  

BUT!  We are reminded by the Lord in Jeremiah that we have a FUTURE WITH HOPE!  The Lord has plans for us – and they are plans for our welfare. When I looked up welfare in the dictionary I was given the meanings:  health, happiness, and well-being.

WELL-BEING!  I am encouraged to know that the Lord desires for my being –  my body, my mind, my soul, and my spirit to be well. His plans are not to harm us!  When life throws us an unexpected “curve ball” the Lord still can use use it to work for our good!!  HALLELUJAH!!

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 NRSV

LORD, we are so thankful that You have plans for us – plans that are in no way abolished because of what is happening around us. We put our whole trust in YOU, knowing that You desire our health, happiness, and well-being. We continue to journey forward knowing that You have already gone ahead of us preparing the way. We are ready to embrace the “new normal” and we know that YOU are moving in and through it all manifesting Your good and perfect will! ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE IS YOURS NOW AND FOREVERMORE!! AMEN!

~Tina Roach