‘As I Live in God’s Perfect Plan, He Gives Me His Perfect Gifts’ | Eastern North Carolina Now

Publisher's note: This post appears here courtesy of the LifeZette, and written by Kimberly Faith.

    Sometimes we trade the perfect gifts God has planned for us for the imperfect plans we make for ourselves.

    Many years ago after I gave my heart to Christ, I was foolishly drawn back into the ways of the world.

    I took nearly every part of my life right back - my time, my goals, my money, everything.

    Jesus gave me His all - and I took it.

    And for most of my life, I gave Him almost nothing in return.

    As a result, I missed about 20 years' worth of gifts God had planned for me.

    I did not comprehend that seeking the things of the world was a cosmic compromise to what I already possessed in Christ.

    It took years of feasting on husks to figure out the banquet table was back in my Father's house.

    I chose to pursue my ambitions, follow my emotions, and live by my own wits and wisdom - all the while believing it would lead me into a wonderfully satisfying life.

    I was wrong. I did not believe the word of God, which says that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17).

    But my merciful heavenly Father waited years for me to come back to Him.

    Like the prodigal, I remembered His goodness and - I returned.

    Oh, the radical changes He worked within my heart when I gave it back to Him!

    The more I give my heart to Him in obedience, the more He gives His goodness to me.

    The best gifts are the eternal ones.

    Each day, my Father has a plan for me to give gifts from His heart: love, joy, peace, wisdom, strength, mercy, kindness.

    The list is as endless as He is.

    As I live in God's perfect plan, He gives me His perfect gifts.