'ripe for the picking' doesn't mean you get to pick

Promises, promises. We make them to each other a lot without realizing it. On the night before an exam we confirm our friends by saying, 'I'm sure you'll do great,' but that doesn't change the amount of Chemistry they know going into and exam...and that friend still very realistically could fail. Or perhaps it's the post-breakup speech of 'you'll find someone...there's someone better out there for you.' ...but perhaps not, and they end up living single for the rest of their lives. So is this wrong? Is this a lie? You wrestle with that yourself, it's not my point today. Moving the idea forward....
So the intent behind these promises, this reassurance we so freely hand out is good I think. And often, the results are exactly as we predict them. But what about those random cases where that person fails their exam or someone ends up single their entire life?

The real situation is not at all that they're single or they failed, or whatever their 'boo boo' dilemma may be, it's the fact that society has labeled these situations BAD....when in fact, they are not bad at all. What if tragedy is part of God's plan?

Here are some testaments to that:
1. Good friend of mine struggles in nursing school...switches programs, switches schools (negative, negative)...but finds her passion. Bad? not at all.
2. My aunt did not get married until well into her 40s. Because of her singleness, she often took my brother and I out on weekends. Some of my fondest childhood memories and most influential moments were formed because her weekends were free. Bad? still a nope.
3. Two people at my church cannot have children of their own. So they reach out to orphans and provide a home for a child who needs the love of parents as much as they desire the love of a child. Bad?....I'm still seeing way too many positives.
4. The beautiful and amazing Penny dies from cancer at an early age (and goes out strong). Because of this, the family pulls a little closer together, a sister rededicates her life to Christ and pulls out of years of depression. Bad? Well I sure miss her, but God brought good from the bad AGAIN.

So, here's the point. Yeah, being single for you right now may be horrible...and I don't know, maybe you'll never get married. Then again, maybe next week you'll meet the most amazing man/woman in the world who is 'totally out of your league' and fall madly in love. I cannot predict the future. And yeah, failing out of pre-med is no sweet drink to swallow, but maybe the result of that is you going to the air force and changing someones life. Or maybe there's a reason you lost your job last week. Perhaps God has a 6 figure salary waiting for you somewhere. Or maybe you'll struggle for a bit but ultimately come out more content and be able to help someone you couldn't have helped had you been at work 40 hours a week. In whatever gloom and doom situation you may be in, remember there's one who can predict the future, who knows the future, who controls the future, and who has this super awesome plan that we can't fully comprehend.

So shoot for the stars, the moon, a 14 point buck, your deepest desires, whatever, but also realize that in your weakest moments and biggest failures that He's still got a plan and that He's got a reason. I don't agree with the prosperity movement that says 'follow God and all will be well and you'll be rich'....wrong. Instead, follow God and look for wealth beyond your paycheck, for value beyond the dollar sign, and for joy in the unexpected. There is a good side to everything--which do you choose to see? ...Dig deep.

I'll close with this--the scripture that inspired this whole diddly. Isaiah 55:8-12 talks about how God's thoughts are higher than ours, as are His ways higher than ours. His word does not go out void, but what He means to be accomplished will be accomplished. And also, He will give us peace if we allow Him in. Psalm 85 was the other scripture inspiration (and I recommend you go read both of these for yourself). Specifically, Psalm 85:12, "The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest." Focus on the harvest--and remember it will come in, but it may be different than you expect. Don't let the corn spoil because you expected wheat. He still provides.

I pray God blesses you and keeps you, and that you see His goodness in all the 'badness' of this world.