We're here again with Kate Motaung and Five Minute Friday, the keyword-driven timed writing challenge that produces so much fine work...and makes me want to be a better writer!
I'm writing ahead of time, again (sigh). Illness makes it questionable that I will be able to write anything coherent after the word's revealed, but I will try to work it in.
(The word's BREATHE. Well, that fits. As I write this addition, I'm having some pretty bad chest pain and it's hard to breathe.)
It has been quite a week. Still losing ground from the basic situation, shortness of breath and chest pain, a broken ankle, and the death of a beloved dog, Indie the Aussie. He was far too young, took suddenly sick, and it hurt to watch him die. There was no chance to get him to the vet.
(The word's BREATHE. Well, that fits. As I write this addition, I'm having some pretty bad chest pain and it's hard to breathe.)
It has been quite a week. Still losing ground from the basic situation, shortness of breath and chest pain, a broken ankle, and the death of a beloved dog, Indie the Aussie. He was far too young, took suddenly sick, and it hurt to watch him die. There was no chance to get him to the vet.
Well, here goes...
"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." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
This is a passage that really gave me problems, and I heard it or read it every day as an example of God's promises. Barring a miracle, I figured I wouldn't be prospering, and the words hope and future receded day by day.
So what gives? Well, it's simple. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most cherry-picked verses in the Bible and one of the most misapplied.
And I fell for it.
What I failed to remember was that it applies to the Jews sent into exile in Babylon. It wasn’t necessarily meant for the individual.
Jeremiah 29:10, immediately preceding (duh!) Jer. 29:11, goes like this -
"This is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.’"
A lot of people didn't even live seventy years!
And to cap it, here's Jer. 29:4 -
"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:"
It's a corporate promise, not just a personal one. And here I was being mad at God for not promising me prosperity, and a hope, and a future.
But it doesn't mean I don't have them. God does have a plan for me. It is His, and not necessarily mine, but it is for the best.
My prosperity is the love of the friends I have made.
My hope is that I can convince one more person that no matter how dark the night, life is still worth living, because when it's dark out, you can see the stars.
My future is the next moment and the opportunity it affords to act, speak, and write kindly and in faith, encouraging all, and offering a helping hand to those whose hope is fading.
Thus, the promise is personal, and thus the promise is kept.
And the musical theme is Lonestar's With Me...
I have another blog, "Starting The Day With Grace". The focus is a grace quote from someone you might not expect (like, say Mick Jagger) and a short commentary. I hope you'll join me.
Marley update... been moved to a sanctuary, and Bay County will revise their 'dangerous dog' codes.
WE MADE A DIFFERENCE!
And marley has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
If you can, please do leave a comment. I am trying to answer all, and I am failing, but please know this - I read and treasure each one.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Here's a better one for you, Andrew:
ReplyDeleteJohn 12:24-26
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
I am surprised to hear that you broke an ankle and not a rib or your wrist and so sorry you are hurting inside as well with indie. 😢 Many prayers, my friend.
Love,
Tammy
Thank you so much for this thoughtful Scripture, Tammy. It's truly a good one, and I will hold it to my heart.
DeleteI actually have broken both wrists before, and several ribs, but the ankle's easier to deal with...but it does not compare with the pain of losing Indie. All the dogs still mourn him.
Love back, from all of us.
HeyI don't know yet what the word is! Jer 29:11 is my verse for this year. And I know it was for the Jews in exile! I thought it was key that he told them to just live their lives. Raise children, marry off your children, plant crops, yeah in the midst of exile just live knowing I am faithful and will be faithful no matter what. Quite a challenge, but he wants us to rest in His love just as He rests in it. We will not understand everything that is going on. We are not meant to, but as we love Him as much as we are able, and sometimes that is very little,I believe He unfolds gems that sustain us and keep us living in hope. Was praying much for you this week. Someday all us writers and wannabe writers will meet. Won't that be fun!?
ReplyDeleteMary, you've got the real meaning and hope of Jer. 29:11 absolutely right. And we're not meant to understand everything...trust, faith, and the acceptance of His love bridges the gap.
DeleteThank you so much for the prayers. And yes, when we eventually meet up, we'll have a blast! (And we'll probably make God roll His eyes.)
"...because when it's dark you can see the star." Andrew, I love this so much. My son was having one of those days yesterday when we wondered why life was worth living. I just read your words to him and he appreciated them. He's doing better today, it was just one more thing yesterday that threw him over the top. Thank you for your continued writing and being here even though you constantly fight pain. Love and hugs to you and Barb!
ReplyDeleteOh, Gayl, I'm so glad my words could help your son! Thank you for telling me; that means so much!
DeleteSo often it is that one small thing that makes us lose out balance.
Thanks so much for being here. Love and hugs back, from both of us.
Yes, yes, yes! Jeremiah 29:11 is used so often as a graduation verse. But you're spot on. We forget the verses before and after verse 11. Your words are a gift! This week's word prompt made me think of you friend. I'm in the 6 spot this week.
ReplyDeleteTara, thank you so much! It had been a long time since I had read Jeremiah completely, and I had heard Jer. 29:11 so often, taken from context, that I had forgotten the true meaning.
DeleteI so appreciate your being here. Thank you!
I love how you explained this verse. I have heard it used many times and I agree that it is misused often. Thanks for your great insight. I've always read verse 12, but never 10. Duh. 😳
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Amanda! I had completely forgotten the context, and hearing it so often had never bothered to go back and check, until now.
DeleteI'm very grateful that you stopped by.
Andrew, so often I come away from your posts thinking...filtering what I believe through the words and thoughts you share. You make me think deeply about what I believe. And this is. A good thing. This post did this for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved what you share about seeing the stars most clearly when it's the darkest.
I'm continuing to pray for you and Barb my friend.
Jeanne, thank you so much for this gracious comment. You've warmed my heart.
DeleteAnd we sure appreciate the prayers. It's been a very rough week.
Thank you for putting that verse into context. I, too, have relied on that a lot in stressful times. I have also used the analogy of Babylonian exile for all the things in the world we don't understand and question God about: ISIS, Terrorism, This past election!
ReplyDeleteWe may not know, but we can trust. (And now I have to visit your other blog.)
Red, thank you! The analogy of the Babylonian exile is really good for dealing with today's world, and makes one think that perhaps it's true...the more things change, the more they remain the same.
DeleteThis post is beautiful and so true. Thank you for the reminder to take Scripture in its context and apply it accordingly and for the inspiration see the ways that God fulfills his promises in our lives day to day.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Charlie. It's often so tempting to take Scripture out of context, as 'sound bytes', but it's so much more meaningful when read as it really is.
DeleteSo many of the cliche scriptures are taken out of context - but you know that. It's always a "bigger picture" a "broader population" but then there is the personal "that whoever believes will have eternal life" - that one is INDIVIDUAL and I believe it's the BEST ONE. xo
ReplyDeleteSusan, I love this..."whoever believes will have eternal life" is indeed the ultimate personal promise.
DeleteXOXOWaggyWaggyHUGS!
Amen! Thank you, friend. This is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your dog, Indie, died. That is so sad. It is hard to lose a pet. Praying for peace and comfort for you and Barbara.
Thanks so much, Rachel.
DeleteIndie's death really affected the whole gang here. We have a houseful of mourning dogs, and they all want to visit his grave daily. I hope he knew, and knows, how much he was loved.
Thanks so much for the prayers, my friend.
You know I pray for you every day, and I won't stop. If God took my advice you'd be perfectly healthy by now, but He knows better than I do how to run the Universe. I wonder if the Jews in exile also thought God should take their advice instead of waiting for Him to do what was promised.
ReplyDeleteJan, I so appreciate the prayers, and I love the image of the Jews in exile thinking God should take their advice! You gave me a smile tonight. Thank you!
Delete"My future is the next moment and the opportunity it affords to act, speak, and write kindly and in faith, encouraging all, and offering a helping hand to those whose hope is fading.
ReplyDelete"Thus, the promise is personal, and thus the promise is kept."
Yes, Andrew, the promise IS personal, and it IS kept!! God does keep His promises, to ALL of us...and though His idea of what is BEST for us is certainly not what we would think...His promises show through for what His plans are for us. YOU, my friend, ARE a friend to those around you and though it's hard for you, continue to share your words of inspiration, encouragement, advice, whatever...and most times they hit at least ONE person right where it is needed.
For this, we appreciate you so much! And, continue to send out hugs and prayers and love to you and Barb...know this that not only does God love you, in His way; but a whole lots of other folks out here do too!!!
Barbara, thank you so much for this. You've given me such hope and purpose in the midst of a very hard week.
DeleteWe so appreciate you, and so greatly value the hugs and prayers.
I am sorry for all of your continued struggles. Sending out a hug!!
ReplyDeletePaula, thank you so much. The hug is really, really appreciated.
Deleteanother aspect of this promise had to do with GOD's definition of prosperity. during all those years, His special people were constantly leaving and worshiping the heathen gods all around them. He had cared for them so well. He had fed them and cared for them during all those years in the desert. their clothes never wore out, their shoes didn't wear out. they never went hungry. but at the least distraction, they left and worshipped other gods, often along with women from the godless nations around them...2 of the biggest no-nos. i'm told that after they came back to the land, judah, as a nation (israel was already blended rather hopelssly into the nations that captured them years before), returned and became a worshipper of one GOD. they didn't necessarily accept jesus, but they were known after that as a nation that worshipped one god. from god's perspective, that is a form of prosperity that came from their punishment and discipline that had also been promised if they didn't obey GOD's commands. something to think about:)
ReplyDeleteMartha, you're so right. God's definition of prosperity is quite different from our "He who dies with the most toys wins" culture. It's easy to overlook this...and I HAVE overlooked it.
DeleteThank you so much for this thoughtful and very insightful comment. You've added a lot to the conversation.
here here Andrew! Our idea of a good plan is much different than God's idea of a good plan. Probably still out of context, but I often think of eternity in reference to this passage. I'm sorry for your struggles. Hugs to you and Barb
ReplyDeleteLove the way you said this, Christy..."Our idea of a good plan is much different than God's idea of a good plan." Perfect!
DeleteThanks so much for being here, and we truly appreciate the hugs. It's been a hard week here.
Very nicely put, Andrew! I totally agree with you, by the way. Hugz and love to you and your pack.
ReplyDeleteSee my post here.
Thank you so much, Kimberly. The pack really appreciates the hugs and love - as do I. We all miss Indie. A broken hert is far worse than a broken ankle.
DeleteGreat post, Andrew - I agree with your interpretation and feel like that verse is often misused to our detriment :( Thanks for bringing your hard earned wisdom to the page yet again...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Emma. Misusing Scripture can seem like a balm, but the full meaning is so much more helpful!
DeleteI truly appreciate your comment, and your presence here.
Hi Andrew. This is my first time commenting, but I have read each of your Five Minute Friday posts since I have been here. You always touch on something that impacts my thoughts for the day. I read this yesterday and am finally getting to the comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing hope, encouragement and lots of food for thought.
I am sorry for the loss of Indie.
Please know I am praying for you today.
God bless you.
Kelly
Kelly, thank you so much for commenting. Your words mean a lot to me, and I am so honoured that you've found some meaning in what I've written.
DeleteThank you, too, for your sympathy about Indie's death. It hurt when it happened; it actually hurts worse now, a week later.
I truly appreciate the prayers.
In my view it is not only a descriptive truth to the children of Israel--describing what God will do for them--but also a prescriptive truth that can be prescribed to those who share in the new covenant bought through Christ's blood. You're looking at the context of this passage which is something many people neglect to do, Andrew. I applaud you for viewing it from that lens. We need to do that with all Scriptures.
ReplyDeleteBut I do believe that God is also speaking about me (as someone who trusts in Him for my salvation). He does know the plans He has for me. And His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me--to give me a hope and a future. I don't have to have everything here on earth go smoothly or abundantly to receive that promise. It is ultimately fulfilled in the promise of eternal life. And everything leading up to that moment when I meet Him face to face is being used to refine me (a very, very good thing!) and redeem the bad in my life into something that is very, very good--eventually bringing Him glory (infinite good!).
I see that it seems like you believe this truth applies to you as well, "God does have a plan for me. It is His, and not necessarily mine, but it is for the best." So true and yet so complex in the simplicity of the way you've stated it, my friend. And I believe it is true about you too, no matter what you experience in any given day.
You know I'm praying for you and can't believe you didn't get your ankle tended to by a doctor, but I also understand your reasons. All the more reason for me to pray for you and Barbara!
Beth, I love the way you put this, as both a descriptive and prescriptive truth. That's perfect.
DeleteAnd you're right; while the overt context is 'macro', so to speak, the implication of a personal plan is 'micro', and seeing it really depends on our willingness to define prosperity the way the Almighty does, and not the way the world does.
My temporal accomplishments have been beaten into insignificance, and I feel like I'm under attack by the Enemy every single day, but I'm richer and stronger than I could ever have imagined, because I still hold to my faith, and I still believe that God is good, always.
And that His plans are the best.
The ankle...yeah, and it's a LOT worse, and I wish medical help had been an option, but it wasn't and still isn't. It'll eventually heal. In the meantime it serves as a locus of compassion for those who are far worse off, and whose injuries are deliberately inflicted. For me, it was just an accident. I'm OK.
Thanks so much for the prayers!
Andrew, your words become ever more profound and profoundly touching, these in particular: " because when it's dark out, you can see the stars." They remind me of your book 'Faith In The Night'and the beautiful hope you share there. They also reveal how God plants stars in the heavens as indicators of His shining presence continually with us, especially in dark times, whether we're aware of it or not. There's always a glimmer of light enough to light the way Home to Him.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of Indie, one of your beloved canine family and friends. I'm guessing that hurts more than the broken ankle in some ways, because you're a pretty tough guy physically, right? And friends are a measure of your prosperity, be they furry or with human skin on! Friend, I hate to hear of you suffering so much, but I am always pleased and relieved to see you've written yet one more post. Because while there's breath there's life, yes? Continuing to pray for you and your family. May you be strengthened in every way and encouraged abundantly, just as you inspire and encourage us.
Joy, thank you so much for this wonderfully kind comment.
DeleteYes, Indie's death hurt far worse than the broken bone, and still hurts. I hear his bark in the night, in the moments between wakefulness and the eerie doze that passes for sleep, and cry again.
And yes, I am pretty tough physically. One learns to do what one must, and it becomes a habit.
Where there's breath there is indeed life, and I won't let mine go willingly. I'm convinced that I'm here for a reason, and that reason is to offer every scrap of encouragement and hope that I can, every day.
We thank you so much for the prayers!
WOW! Thank you for explaining the real deal with Jeremiah 29:11 and how it is one of the most misapplied and cherry picked verses in the Bible. Bless you for explaining what it does mean for each individual and reemphasizing that riches are so much more than what's in our bank account! Love to you! Leigh
ReplyDelete