I’m a planner. I have to-do lists on my phone, my laptop, and on several pieces of paper throughout the house. It sounds crazy, but this is basically my attempt at keeping every day in order… until life throws something at me. I get sick, plans change, etc., then I stress because I don’t get to finish, or even start, what I was planning on doing. This happened to me just last week – I got sick AND our plans changed for the weekend because my husband had a day off from work, so you could say my mind was going a million miles an hour just because things weren’t going MY way.
I often find myself so consumed in my own plans that I forget that my God has everything under control.
One word that brings both joy and stress to many college students is “graduation.” College is all about gaining an education so you’re prepared to run into the real world and put your knowledge into action. This causes SO much unnecessary stress in students’ minds, along with myself, as we begin to wonder what the future holds for us. Will we have a high-paying job? Will we like our job? Will we have to move to another city, state, or even country? Will we get married or start a family? Will we make friends? Will we have enough money to eat? Will we have a nice house? The questions could go on and on, but God is above all these worries. I feel like sometimes He sneaks in ways to give us a little touch on the shoulder, relieving us that He already has our lives figured out.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
How comforting is that? No matter what plans I make for my future, what I do or don’t check off my list every day, or what seems to go wrong, God has already taken care of it. He has a map of where He’s guiding me, and I just need to hop in for the ride and trust that He’s got it all under control.
Let me tell ya about a guy named Noah – the one with the ark. When he was born, his father, Lamech, named him Noah and said that he would bring relief, because his name actually sounds like the Hebrew word for “rest”. So anyways, hundreds of years later – God told Noah that He was going to destroy all life here on earth, so it was up to him to build an ark, bring his family, food, and many different animals to start the beginning of this new world (side note – the picture I attached at the top of this post is what I imagine the sky looked like when the rain clouds finally opened up… maybe it was prettier). Noah probably had other plans in mind, but he didn’t question or comment on anything God had set in front of him; he just trusted that God would provide what he needed – he was obedient.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” – Matthew 6:33
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
These verses call us to action – to be obedient in placing The Lord’s plans before our own, and this is exactly what Noah did. God may not be asking us to build a 450-foot long ark to prepare for rain that would last 40 days, but it may mean prioritizing time spent with Jesus rather than making checklists, or seeking answers from God first before making any big decisions.
When I catch myself in the morning praying, “God, where are you taking me today?” instead of, “please just help me get through today,” – 1) I’m in a way better mood throughout the day, and 2) I’m filled with rest and comfort knowing that God is the one in control.
I encourage everyone who’s reading this to write down the following on a piece of paper: “God, where are you taking me today?” Put it on your bathroom mirror or your kitchen table – somewhere you will find it first thing in the morning, so that it reminds you to focus on Jesus first. Ask Him to guide your life and give you rest, because He’s already got a plan.
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June 16, 2017 at 5:19 pm
Thank you so much for this post! Definitely an encouragement for me today.
June 16, 2017 at 7:09 pm
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June 16, 2017 at 8:49 pm
I like that, “God, where are you taking me today?” That is a good go to motto. Thanks for sharing!!
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June 20, 2017 at 3:34 pm
I am with you….a total, compulsive to-do lister. The struggle is definitely real to let go and let God, but when I do my life is always more peaceful and joyful.
June 20, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Thanks for reading, I absolutely agree! It’s funny how a single question to God can make or break your day.
June 28, 2017 at 10:04 am
[…] of faith will bring hurdles to jump over. In the midst of hard times God still commands us to be obedient just like Noah was. He was given a task bigger than he could physically handle, but God provided. So whatever […]
August 23, 2017 at 4:52 pm
I love the title “God where are you taking me today?” , because the Lord most certainly knew when we will be born , our names, and our destiny here on earth. He alone is the one who can give us rest as well.
Visiting you from Christian women bloggers unite
Diana
August 23, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Thanks for reading!
August 23, 2017 at 10:45 pm
This read was so nice! God has so much in store for all of us.
August 24, 2017 at 12:12 am
I can relate.
August 26, 2017 at 8:36 am
This is very inspiring! Often, we are so busy planning that we tend to forget where God is taking us. Such a sweet reminder. Thank you!
September 1, 2017 at 10:43 am
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February 8, 2018 at 11:14 am
[…] will require a LOT of effort on my part. This includes making the intentional choice to view the tasks on my to-do list as opportunities to serve others, to share the gospel and to worship […]
July 11, 2018 at 9:09 am
Great idea to post the question “God, where are you taking me today?” Somewhere that will remind me each morning that God is in control of my plans. His plans will always be better than anything I could come up with for my day. Thanks for sharing.
July 11, 2018 at 12:20 pm
Yes! Yvonne, thanks for reading! I pray God continues to remind you that His plans are far greater than your own!
July 11, 2018 at 10:05 am
Great post. It’s hard to let go, but after some years, we can see how he led us in a better way than our plans would have taken us.
Noah rest, that’s where we want to be. Where we want to go.
July 11, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Amen! It’s always so humbling looking back on instances where I see that God was in complete control, and know that He turned those situations better. Thanks so much for reading!
July 11, 2018 at 11:07 am
we all needed to be reminded sometimes that God is on control don’t we 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Yes, amen! Thanks for reading, Crystal! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 11:53 am
Hi Sydney!
I can relate to this 🙂 I’m also a planner because I like to be in control of what happens during my day. Yes, although the time of graduation is a time of joy and happiness, it’s also a time with a lot of stress as you say.
We just have to trust that God has everything under control, don’t we? 🙂
I have often thought about what the people around Noah must have said to think while he was building the ark, especially those who invested in the project?
Blessings!
Edna Davidsen
July 11, 2018 at 12:15 pm
That is such a good point, I’ve never thought about what thoughts were going through the people surrounding Noah’s minds. Truly trusting in God’s control is shown through our actions. Thanks for your kind words, Edna! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 12:34 pm
I try to start off each day giving it to the Lord. I want Him to be involved in every step.
July 11, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Amen, I love this! Thanks for reading, Alice! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Beautiful post! As a recent college graduate with a job interview coming up, I understand these fears completely. But ultimately, God is in complete control and He is a good and faithful Father!
July 11, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Emily! God DOES have everything under control. Good luck interviewing! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Sydney, I can also relate. I love lists, plans, and follow-through. It can get a bit frustrating when the follow-through doesn’t happen. But I like what James said, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). I also love the call to seek first God and His kingdom. When our eyes are on Him first, somehow all that is important gets done. Great post! Thanks for the nudge to put Him first and not our to-do list.
July 11, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Yes, Amen! Thanks for reading, Marcie! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 4:32 pm
As a type-A planner, I’m going to start asking that in my prayers too! Thanks!
July 11, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Thanks so much for reading, Bailey! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Love this! What a great way to start each day by saying, “God, where are You taking me today?” Preparing our hearts and minds each morning will help us show His love all day.
July 11, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Yes! Thanks for stopping by, Melissa! 🙂
July 11, 2018 at 7:32 pm
What a fabulous idea–asking God daily where He is taking us. It sure makes our day much more intentional with focusing on His plan for us!
July 12, 2018 at 10:10 am
Absolutely! Thanks so much for reading 🙂
July 12, 2018 at 10:44 pm
I love this post! I’m a planner, too, and have had to release so many plans that I had to the plans of God. (I have found that His plans are much better anyway. ) So, I will remember what you have encouraged us to pray: “God, where are you taking me today?” Awesome attitude to begin your day with – yes and amen!
July 13, 2018 at 8:39 am
Thanks for your sweet words, Lisa! I have most definitely learned that God’s plan is far greater than mine, but my stubbornness likes to disagree. 😉
July 12, 2018 at 11:27 pm
I definitely like that perspective. I’m finding this balance right now and trying to make sure I do not drown in the to-dos where my job and money are on the line, but I need a healthy balance of home and rest. “God where are you taking me today?” Love it💕
July 13, 2018 at 8:40 am
I’m sure finding that healthy balance can be so difficult sometimes, but God can lead you through it! Thanks for reading, Brittany!
July 13, 2018 at 9:51 am
That’s a great way to face the day! Rather than a to-do list or a plan that may go awry, approaching the day with the constant remembrance that God is in charge of the day transforms our mindset to one of yielded following of HIS plan!
July 13, 2018 at 10:23 am
Amen! Thanks so much for reading, Melinda! 🙂
July 18, 2018 at 8:46 pm
This was so encouraging to me today and exactly what I needed. I can relate to a lot of what you said. When my plans go awry, I absolutely can’t handle it. I spent the day at home today with a sick child and pretty much sulked the whole day. I just don’t like my life to not go as planned. This was suck an awesome reminder. Thank you!!
I am attempting to find fellow Christian bloggers that I can network with, a suggestion from a publisher I recently met with. Please consider checking out my blog AND I would love if you’d be willing to do a guest post as well!
July 19, 2018 at 9:23 am
Awh, I hope your day flipped around. God whispers subtle messages to us sometimes, and I’m so glad He used my blog to speak to you!
Thanks so much for reaching out to me, I’ll check out your blog!
Thanks for reading, Tara! 🙂
July 20, 2018 at 7:15 am
This is great thank you. We need more spiritual uplifting bloggers. I relate to this post. For the last two years we have been trusting God for our plan and provision. It has been hard. We are currently homeless and our daughter is sick. But even through that He has been moving mountains. Its hard at times to keep our faith and strength in the Lord. I have my good days and bad days. But God is faithful.
July 21, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Oh my goodness, I’ll definitely be keeping you and your family in my prayers! God truly does move mountains even at our lowest points. Thank you for reading!