Last month I had my good friend Emily write a devotional for the blog (read it here if you haven’t already). Since y’all loved it, I’m bringing in another good friend, Mish, to encourage you. In this devotional, she talks about hustle culture, our plans vs. God’s plans, and so much more. This message opened my eyes and heart to “God’s plan>mine,” and I pray it does the same for you.
The grind/hustle culture can be toxic, especially for young women trying to make it on their own. And if you’re like me, you have plans from three months to five years.
While this can be helpful, it can also be hurtful because of the imaginary expectations I start to put on my life. I’ve learned that when I create these expectations, I tend to let myself down.
When I fail to have patience for what God has for me, I make decisions that leave me frustrated or hurt. But when I act with patience, God always has better plans than the ones I created.
Speaking of patience, I didn’t grasp what it meant to be patient until I read the book of Exodus.
Exodus is my favorite book in the Bible because of Moses’s break in 2:11-25. The Lord allowed Moses to be physically removed from his community, his circumstances, and his comfort to prove His goodness and faithfulness.
Through Moses’ time in exile, the Lord’s mercy was remarkably evident.
In my own life, I’ve had a season of exile like Moses’.
I’ve had to endure a season away from everything that’s comforting to grow and develop into the person I am today. Though I’m not entirely out of this season, I know God more personally because of the break I took.
Even though I’m closer to God than ever, I still get frustrated with Him. This is primarily due to my lack of patience for His plan for my life.
As I said, I’m a planner.
Even in the Fire and Lion’s Den
I’m also currently reading about the story of Daniel and how he went to the lion’s den in faith. He didn’t know the plan, but he knew there was a purpose. What faith!
If you’re unfamiliar with the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon who had besieged Jerusalem and taken many young Jewish nobles captive. Among those nobles were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego.
When King Nebuchadnezzar met Daniel and his friends, he found none equal to them (Daniel 1:19). Over time, the king bestowed glory and power over Daniel – and at Daniel’s request, did the same for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego.
In Daniel 3, we see their relationship deteriorate because Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship a golden idol the king had constructed. In rage and anger, the king forgot the relationship he had built with them and sought to punish them for their refusal.
Like King Nebuchadnezzar, I sometimes let my emotions get the best of me and turn away from my relationship with the Lord. In my anger, I make decisions or fall prey to negative thinking.
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are inspiring because none of them knew God’s plan at the time, but they knew there was a purpose. Despite being faced with a blazing furnace and lion’s den, they gave the battle over to the Lord and trusted Him to deliver them.
Their reaction made me realize that some battles don’t deserve our breath. Not every battle warrants a response. They could have chosen to give in to fear and fight against the injustice they were facing, but instead, they remained faithful to the Lord and put the battle in His trusting hands.
The blazing furnace or lion’s den may not have been their plan, but there was a far greater purpose in it.
Some things that happen to us may not be a part of our plan, but they’re a part of God’s greater purpose.
Strive Towards God Instead
Recently, I came across a TikTok explaining what the word Rafa meant. It was described as being still, actively waiting, and striving no more.
Be still and stop striving? What does that even look like?
After asking myself this question, I was able to identify toxic things I needed to let go of in work and personal habits – things like success, relationships, and aesthetics.
I realized that rather than striving towards things that will never bring me peace, I need to strive to be closer to God.
And when I’m closer to God I’m able to walk in confidence because even if my plans don’t work out, God’s plans are so much better.
I encourage you to have hope because God is greater than our plans, anxieties, and circumstances. No matter the trials or seasons we face, He is faithful to the end and will work out all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Reflection Questions
- Do you find yourself falling prey to the grind/hustle culture? Why or why not?
- Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt exiled from everything familiar and comfortable? How did God rescue you? If God hasn’t rescued you yet, what have you been learning from your circumstances?
- What battles are you currently fighting that you can give over to God?
- Mishelle described the word Rafa as “being still, actively waiting, and striving no more.” How can you choose to incorporate being still into the rest of your week?
Prayer
Jesus, You were never concerned with the hustle or the numbers, You just wanted people to know the Truth. I pray that I can lay my own plans aside and remember that Your plan is much greater than my own. Help me to be still and find peace in Your presence, despite my current circumstances. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
