I was fourteen the last time I saw my friend Mel and what feels like a lifetime of experiences has passed since we last met. We’ve both studied for our qualifications, married, had children, lived in and travelled to various places in the world, and navigated the highs and lows of life. Thirty-seven years is a long time between catchups, but today we had the opportunity to reconnect over lunch for a few hours before she and her husband flew home.
As we chatted, I was reminded about a life map I completed several years ago, which documented significant events in my story on a large map size of paper. One of the things I appreciated about this exercise was being able to see both the high points in my life and the challenging times. No matter how low I may have been, there was always a high point to bring me back up again. (Romans 8:28)
I’ve discovered that the low points we experience can also help us make better decisions about how we plan to go forward, the people we choose to be in relationships with, the financial decisions we make, and the dreams and goals we will spend our life with pursuing.
If we are brave enough, we will learn from what we have been through, and we can also as we move forward, change the narrative where needed.
I encourage you to make a life map and chronicle your journey so far. Ask Jesus to show you where He was at every point of your life and how he has woven and continues to weave the strands of your story into a beautiful tapestry that He has been crafting from the beginning.
You can trust Him because He has a brilliant plan, is faithful to complete what He has started in you, and promises to bring everything together for your good. There is purpose in the process. (Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6)
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16)
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your hand upon my life and for all you have done in and through me. Please help me recognise your hand at work in the midst of every season and trust you even when I can’t see what you may be doing. Thank you also for the people in my world. In Jesus name Amen.
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