Under Construction

So I decided that I would turn this blog into more than just a place to display my latest jewelry creations. I changed the name to "Under Construction" because I am learning more and more that I am very much a person who is daily under construction - striving to grow more and more into the woman I was created to be. Sometimes that construction is painful - but I believe that the end result will be absolutely worth it.

I read an A.W. Tozer quote recently that says, "There are three marks of one who is crucified. One, he is facing in only one direction. Two, he can never turn back. And three, he no longer has any plans of his own." I have pondered this quote much over the last couple of weeks. As I reflect on this quote coupled with Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me...", I am reminded that I too am a crucified one.

My life as Christ follower should reflect me facing in only one direction, never turning back and no longer having any plans of my own. Ouch. I am a planner by nature, so I have lots of plans - from the littlest detail of my day to the larger details of life. Most days I think MY plans are really, REALLY good plans!! I don't want to give those up. If I am truly honest with myself, I don't always believe that God's plans are really, REALLY good plans. If I did, I would be much more open handed with letting go of my own plans.

As I have thought through this recently, God has gently reminded me of some of my plans from years ago - 10 years, even 15 years ago. It makes me laugh out loud now to think about the dreams and plans I had for myself in high school or even through most of my college years. Hindsight is 20/20 and had the Lord allowed ME to choose the path or plans for my life, I am fairly certain that I would be miserable today!

MY plans got replaced by HIS PERFECT PLANS for my life. My broken dreams have become beautiful beginnings of what God had always had planned. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that the Lord has given me in place of my cheap dreams for myself.

There are still days when I hold tightly to my plans, but I am slowly learning to let go and give up my plans (the smallest details and the huge life decisions) to the ONE who knows me far better than I know myself. I trust that His plans are really, REALLY great plans!! They always have been and always will be - and there is so much comfort in that!