Jeremiah 29:11 “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.”
Every graduating senior in my tiny Christian school heard this verse when we were graduating high school. At the time it was so beautifully and eloquently written that no one really worried about the supposed plans God had for them.
Probably because those supposed plans were easy to follow. Graduate high school. Go to college. Graduate from college. Get a Job. The plan was simple and easy.
Now that I am about to graduate college, however, that verse isn’t as comforting as it once was. The plan that before seemed so easy, now seems kind of like a scene in scary movie where you have to decide whether to run in the forbidden woods where the killer will chase you or run back into the house where the killer already is. It’s a lose-lose situation.
I have been applying for jobs almost every week since February. I don’t want a job, I need a job. I know people say that all the time, but seriously. I. Need. A. Job.
Since applying to all of these jobs, I have received rejection after rejection after rejection. I wasn’t getting too down about it until I received a rejection from my dream job and then a teacher said they wouldn’t recommend me for another job because my writing and editing skills were basically sub par. Talk about a jab to the face since that is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I feel as though I am in this town because it has so many opportunities for me, yet God keeps closing every door that I try to step through. Its as if he’s saying “Ahhh, not that one! Better luck next time!”
I was feeling completely dejected after receiving such harsh criticism and rejection. My motivation to apply for more jobs dwindled. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and frankly, I didn’t care.
Then, God opened a window. My teacher who had previously turned me down for an internship, provided me with a paid internship (with benefits!!) that fit perfectly in my plan. I don’t know if I got it yet or if I will get it, but I do know that every time I am at my lowest God always sends me a blessing to let me know he cares about me.
Sometimes I really want to be angry at God for not answering my prayers and saying no to things I ask for, but then I think of the old country song “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks and I realize those lyrics were true….
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you’re talkin’ to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn’t answer doesn’t mean he don’t care
Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
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