1 John 3:1-7
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:1-7 (NRSVUE)
Have you ever thought back to what you wanted to be as a kid or what others thought you should be? I always remember thinking I was going to be an accountant and work with numbers. That’s what my dad did, that’s what I was going to do. I often look at my own children and say, “Yep” Jase is going to go into Construction Engineering (he is either going to demolish the building or find a way to build it), Charlie will be a fantastic Kindergarten teacher and Harper and I continue the discussion to see if she is meant to be a strong willed CEO of a company or if her plans pan out and she becomes a pediatric surgeon.
Nonetheless, no matter what I think fits their future or what we picture for ourself, God is ultimately in charge. “Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed.” God has a plan and whether we see that plan early, find out our plan as we walk with him or discover our plan later in life, we ultimately know that it is His plan and His way as we are His children and He is our Father. We are “born again” into the life that he has planned for us.
As we set on our path to be a child of God there are things that he wants us to do. We must admit our sin—we can’t avoid it, but we can own it. We must ask forgiveness for that sin and repent, which means to make every effort in turning away from that sin. Anything is possible with God in our lives. This is where he says, “Yep” I have plans for you and this is going to be awesome!
I may have never lived out my original plan of becoming an accountant. God had a different plan of directing me into education and for that I am forever grateful. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.”
Questions for Reflection:
- As a child of God, what path is laid out before you? Have you slowed down long enough to open your eyes and look for it?
- If you don’t know what plan God has for you, have you asked him for guidance? Or patience to wait until that plan becomes clear?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you are and for all that you have allowed me to be. I pray that I may be your child and walk in a path that makes you proud. I know I have sinned and I know that I have strayed, but you continue to reveal the path that is laid out for me. May I trust that path and all that you have planned for me. Amen
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