I am a big fan of watching home makeover shows. Fixing up old homes, renovating a space, making places in your home work better, organizing — I love all of it! Not only are they fun to watch, but I love the inspiration that comes from them. There is always something great I can take away and use in my own home.
I was watching one of my favorite shows the other night when something struck me. It happens time and again. The homeowners talk with the designer, excitedly telling her what they don’t like about their home, what isn’t working, what they need fixed, and what they would like out of their home. The designer takes that info and goes to work, designing what they want and need. She meets back with them to go over her plans, and there’s that face. The excitement is gone, and the couple look at each other like, “Um, no.” They question everything they just heard, and they aren’t on board with her plan. They don’t think certain things will work. They think something is going to look bad. They just don’t want to listen.
I look at the designer’s face when this happens, and she doesn’t understand the opposition. She’s the professional — the one who was hired to do the job. She put her experience, schooling, and expertise into creating a great plan, but then she’s not trusted.
How many of us, including me, treat God like this at times? He asks us to trust Him with His plan for our lives. He asks us to listen to His voice and follow His way. But sometimes we just don’t want to. We aren’t sure His plan is what we want or if it fits into our own plans. We think we know better, and we want to do things our way instead. We don’t want to budge. We want an easier way. We doubt Him and question His instructions.
It would be easy to trust and follow God if we could see His plans, right?
It takes great courage not to know what is ahead and to step out in faith to trust God, listen to Him, and follow His plan. His journey for us won’t always be easy or make us happy in the moment, but He has a purpose even when we can’t see it. He loves us so much, and His plan for our lives is good.
But we have to do more than just hear or read God’s Word. We must truly listen and follow it; we have to do what He says.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)
We are called to listen to Him, one day at a time, and obey His will even if we don’t understand what is to come.
Most of the time in these makeover shows, the homeowners do come around at the end. When they see the completed job, they totally love what was done in their home, and often with tears in their eyes, they say it looks better than they would have even imagined. They see then that they should have trusted the professional all along.
God has a wonderful plan for your life, and it is better than anything you thought you wanted or needed. We don’t need to question it and doubt Him. Listen, follow, and trust God’s expertise even when it’s hard — especially when it’s hard.
However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)
Jas says
I missed out on two jobs which I thought were maybe part of Gods plan for my life. One a Diversity and Engagement Advisor, I prepared, had an interview and I really knew I could do the job – helping ethnic communities. But I lost out and the second I had a phone interview and was not then short listed. I thought/think God called me to do this help people. I’ve seen him at work in my life but really move when he called me to do a Masters in Peace & Conflict studies.
Don’t get me wrong God has and is providing- I have a job and we are all healthy.. it seems crazy as in New Zealand we are back to living normally with hardly any restrictions so I know bigger picture this may even be a selfish post. When around the world people are suffering due to either Covid or lockdowns, violence, job losses it seems really selfish to write…
But I’m hurt. Your post is very timely and speaks straight to my situation. Thank you for sharing your words here.
Beth Williams says
Jas,
Been praying God would send a good job your way. Thankful you have one to sustain you. I will continue to pray that God send the right job your way soon.
Blessings 🙂
Jas says
Thank you so much Beth. I hope you and your family are well x
Jennifer Ueckert says
It is not selfish, Jas. This is what is important in your life in this moment and because it is important to you, it is important to Him. Hoping with you the job you have prepared for is ahead! Praying with you as you wait!
AMY HENKE says
thank you for today’s message. I certainly needed to read and in God’s word today. Lots of changes in my work life so I know God intended this devotion for me. Blessings to you.
Jennifer Ueckert says
I am so glad to know it was timely for you, Amy!
Grace says
Thank you.
Jennifer Ueckert says
You are most welcome, Grace. Thank you!
Annette Dorman says
Perfect timing, as always God is always right on time with His messages and truth
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh I sure love when that happens, Annette! He is so good!
Janette says
Just what I needed to hear!
Thank you!
Jennifer Ueckert says
I am so happy it was timely for you, Janette!
Brenda Bourcier says
Great insight and wonderfully written thanks!!!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you so much, Brenda!
Illonda says
Thanks for sharing! God spoke these words to me on yesterday. “Eyes have not seen……. Amazing how season word manifests. Your devotional was confirmation. As I listened God marvelled. I am so grateful for and to His finishing touches. I too love makeover,house, and HGTV shows. Art is a passion of mine as well. What a mighty Creator we are blessed with! Thank you and God bless!
Jennifer Ueckert says
I sure love how He works! I also love meeting a fellow creator sister in Christ, Illonda!
Irene says
I love this concept, Jennifer! We need to trust the Great Designer! In this uncertain world, it’s good to know we have Someone we can trust completely. We just need to draw close to Him so we won’t be led astray. Thank you! And may you and your family be richly blessed today and always!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Amen to that, Irene! Thank you!
Debbie Sasser says
I love this! Thank you for sharing such a great spiritual lesson from an HGTV type show! It really touched me and made me think! God is so good!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh, thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment, Debbie. It means a lot to me!
Janet Williams says
Thank you for this message today Jennifer. My husband is currently working for a large company…something we never expected…however his department has become extremely slow. He feels useless and heavy getting paid for not doing much. He’s told the owner how he feels and the reply was “you’re needed here don’t worry”. He also expressed his heavy heart to our Pastor and the same reply came! Thank you for the reminder that God is working even we don’t see it or understand His plan.
NOW pray my husband has the same AH-HA moment.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Bless his heart! I am praying for your husband, Janet. Praying he feels he is needed and important and special!
Betty Spreen says
thank you *
Jennifer Ueckert says
You are so very welcome, Betty! Thank you!
Lauren Griesmeyer says
Really needed to hear this Jennifer! It was just the other night I wasn’t trusting God! I didn’t like what I was going thru! So I thank God and thank you for your timely word and encouragement! Love in Him, Lauren
Jennifer Ueckert says
I am so glad to hear it was timely for you, Lauren!
Stephanie says
Needed to read this today. Thank you ❤️
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
God’s plans are far better than we could ever imagine. Twenty years ago I prayed for a husband. Not just anyone though. Someone that would be there & help me when my aging parents got sick. It took 3 years of waiting & prayers. Then God sent me a loving, caring young man-who just happened to work in medical field (CT). He blessed me with a nice house, garage, & best yet a wonderful church family I have grown to love. I spent 10 years caring for my aging parents even quitting a good job. God hasn’t stopped amazing me. He has given me a good job as part-time ICU Step Down Clerical at a large local hospital. I now get to help RNs. CNAs, patients & their families. There were times along this journey I found it hard to trust God. Knowing His great love for me I put my faith in Him always.
Blessings 🙂
P.S.
Praying for you & your husband. Asking God to help give you both more healthy days.
Jennifer Ueckert says
“God hasn’t stopped amazing me.” Oh, Beth, how I love reading those words! Praise Him! And thank you so much for thinking of and praying for my husband and me! xo
Camilla Hubbard says
Thought you may like to see this poem I wrote some years ago, (one of those in “Living & Learning – Poems of Purpose”, by Camilla Diann), after listening to a Bible study blog on radio, .
MASTER PLAN
Some start out in life with a master plan
With the natural aspirations of man,
Career and home and wedded bliss,
Marriage, children, all that goes with this-
Retiring comfortably, travel a lot,
And we ask God to sign, where
X marks the spot!
But God says:-
For a lifetime of joy, it’s Me you need thank,
My plan is far better than funds in the bank,
Just sign at the bottom, and leave the page blank,
I’ll direct as we go – you need never pull rank.
Let Me take the lead, each day and each night,
And in Me you will find a purer delight.
Loving and giving and serving and sharing,
In ways that convey Christ’s true kind of caring.
Whatever befalls, I will be by your side,
And your soul will forever, with Me abide.
Camilla Diann 27.2.2004
Inspired by John North’s Bible study,
6.05am FM103.2 27.2.04
You are welcome to share this, I have waived the copyright sign
Jennifer Ueckert says
That is really, really beautiful, Camilla! Let Him take the lead. Yes and amen to that! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful poem.
Jas says
So beautiful Camilla!
Donna says
I absolutely love the example used for the untrusting moment of shock. I just watched a design show yesterday and when I read this I actually stopped and immediately pictured my self looking at God that way. First I laughed out loud because of how ridiculous it is not to trust the Master then I asked Him for more trust. I do not want to be giving God that look. Thank you for blessing us with your words. May we all continue to see Him in the everyday.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Yes, that look! I love that you could relate to my words while watching a design show yourself! Thank you, Donna!
Simoy says
Oh what a word in due season. So hard to trust His perfect will, yet His will is perfect. Thank you Lord that You work backward from our future to our present. I will trust You Jesus even when it doesn’t make sense.
Jennifer Ueckert says
I am glad to know it was timely for you, Simoy!
Nomusa Mguni-Mhlanga says
It’s so difficult to put our trust 100% in God’s choices for us. Yet He has great and mighty plans for us. Thanks for the fitting example.
Jennifer Ueckert says
It sure is hard, Nomusa! We all understand that!