A blessing and not a curse

It is interesting to see how the old Greek myths and the Old Testament have a very similar account of the creation of the world. They both begin with the heaven and the earth made in sequence, ending in the creation of man. But there is where their similarities depart. The Old Testament talks about how God made Eve to be a gift to Adam, his helper and companion. The ancient Greeks however taught that woman was made to punish man for stealing from the gods.

It's interesting how these two thoughts speak so much into the dichotomy that I feel within me.

You see deep down in the depths of my heart I believe that God created me to be a wife and to be a mother. He created me to be a helper to stand beside and be faithful. I believe that God has created me to be someone who cares deeply about the lives of others and knowing how to encourage them.

But then I wonder, do I have the capability to be loved? Am I worthy, or will I just hurt others instead. Do I only look at my own interests or do I look at others. Am I a curse or a punishment?

I don't think that Christ sees me as a punishment or a curse but as his bride. I belong to him. He wants me to love him and love his children. He sees into the depths of my heart and wants it to be whole. He sees who I am, who I was and who I will be, and while he continues to encourage me to grow he still takes me just as I am. Even on the days that I tell him that he is not enough for me and that I want more, he lets me know that he is all I will ever need.

Maybe someday he will give me the desires of my heart, and maybe not. All I know is that to every person I encounter I want to show others that I am a blessing and not a curse.

What's next?

My sister and I were having a conversation the other day about taking verses out of context. We settled on one verse in particular that people love to quote and scholars love to point out as being taken out of context. Jeremiah 29:11. I agree with scholars that the verse is taken out of context and that is a dangerous thing to do, but does that really make it less true?

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 a hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

I believe that God does have a plan for our lives, but gives us the opportunity to follow that plan or not. He gives us the choice to follow him and his ways or to follow the ways of the world.

I believe that in following God's plans, he desires for you to prosper, but that doesn't mean that sin has not entered the world and as a result that bad things do happen. I believe that God does not intend for us to be harmed but uses the results of sin and the harm it causes to teach us and mold us into better people.

Plans to give you a hope and a future. Isn't that what heaven is all about. Following what God wants in my life is what gives me hope and I know my future is secure in him through Christ's sacrifice.

I'm struggling with plans right now. I want to know what God wants me to do, what job I should have, will I someday get married have kids, should I go into missions, the possibilities of my future are endless. I understand that this verse was not written for me, but I still think that God views me in the same light. His plan for me is to follow him, and in doing so I have the hope of a future with him and right now, that's all I need to know.