Celebrating Each Chapter of Your Story
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
I am not sure when your birthday might be. That would be tremendous if it today was the day you were reading this devotional. Regardless of when your birthday is, this is a verse you can reflect on and be encouraged by. It is a birthday gift for you from a promise He has for you.
Your birthday may be the day that we celebrate your arrival on this planet and in this life, but your Creator has known you from the beginning of time and you were precious to Him. He has known you and He has had a plan for your life. It is a plan for your good and for His glory. It is a plan that is not to be limited by others or by trying circumstances of this world, so don’t let them. You were created with a purpose, like a book whose story is already written. All you have to do is live it out by living in Him. He will see you through every chapter of your life. This is hard to imagine but from before time began, He had your life story already ordained, and it is a good story with victory throughout, even when things appear hopeless. Praise and thank Him for the great story He has written for you, even before you see it fully realized.
Your birthday is a day to celebrate that life story he has for you. He had the plot for your life before you even took your first breath on this earth and He had every chapter in place designed for your good. However, there is more! In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will… Ephesians 11:1 NKJV
He predestined your inheritance in Jesus before you were born and He willed for all the good things He prepared for you to be a reality in your life. Because He has had a plan for this exact phase and moment of your life there is nothing to fear, dread or be anxious about. On your birthday celebrate whatever chapter of your life story you are in. The good news is He is with you in each chapter, through every page and even with each single word. He is the one who fashioned the story of your life and He passionately chooses each word. It is up to you to live out each of those words that He wrote in your book, the story of your life. He is with you all the way through to the end of your story in this lifetime and through the future that He has for you in the beyond with Him! If you live it out your story with Him it is a classic story that glorifies Him and sees you as a reigning victorious hero to inspire others witnessing your story. Truly, every day from Him is a gift to enjoy but whenever your birthday is Happy Birthday! Be excited about the year ahead of you as a chapter already written for you good in Him.
J Todd Hostetler