Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Maylan Schurch
Sunday and Monday, September 1 and 2, 2024
The words stopped me in my tracks: “Big fan of God’s plan.” I picked up the bag, which was large, roomy, and well-made. But what really lightened and brightened my eyes was the price; it was in a clearance section marked 75% off! Quality for not much quantity!
But those words held my attention and made me ask myself, “Am I a big fan of God’s plan?” Which led me to the question, “Exactly what do they mean by ‘God’s plan’?”
Since “they” are not around for me to ask, it’s left to me to wonder.
Perhaps the most oft-quoted Bible verse concerning God’s plans is 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. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
I have heard people object to a personal application of this verse, saying that it’s been wrested out of context.
I’m a big fan of context, so I reviewed Jeremiah 29, and it’s true that the Lord was sending a message through His prophet to those taken from Jerusalem into exile in Babylon. He is telling the people to literally settle down there; to build houses, plant gardens, marry, have children, and to:
. . . seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. (Jeremiah 29:7 NKJV)
I don’t know if the captives were at peace hearing this message. How they must have longed for Jerusalem and home. But the Lord went on to say that He would bring them home after 70 years of captivity – and then comes verse 11, that is quoted so often as assurance for us today.
Fond as I am of considering context, I still think it’s appropriate to read this verse as describing God’s heart for us today, too. Because the Bible bristles with verses that describes God as our hope-bringer. He’s all about securing our future:
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)
That’s God’s Plan, and I’m a fan!
Back to the bag. Why, you may ask, would such a well-made item be offered at such a deep discount? You may have noticed the dark black smudge near the bottom edge of the bag. And if you enlarge the photo, you will read two small words neatly printed on the tag: “AS IS.”
With the words “75% off” ringing in my ears, I bought the bag, as is, confident that our trusty little bottle of Goo Gone® would take care of the dark smudge. And, with several applications and a lot of rubbing, it did.
That takes me back to the Garden of Eden, God’s original plan. But Adam and Eve did more than merely smudge His creation – so He moved on to Plan B.
And all these years later, here I am, a smudge of a sinner, saved by God’s grace. It took only one application to erase my sin, but that was the sacrificial application of the blood of Jesus.
How thankful I am that He accepts me, and you, “as is,” and promises us a future and a hope.