For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. (Jeremiah 29:11-12 NABRE)
The leading citizens of Jerusalem had all been sent into exile in Babylon. The year was about 587 B.C. From Jerusalem, Jeremiah sent them these pronouncements from God. It was sort of a good news, bad news situation. The bad news first: Settle in because you're going to be there for a while--70 years--and you have false prophets among you. The good news: I have good plans for you. I listen to your prayers. I will bring you back to Jerusalem in my time.
I sometimes feel like an exile, so far away from God and surrounded by false prophets that I'm willing to believe what isn't true just so I can feel alright. But like the exiles in Babylon, I need to remember that God always listens to my prayers and he has good plans for me.
I have struggled with times when I was not aware of God's presence in my life. Sometimes for minutes. Sometimes for days or weeks. Sometimes longer. These exile periods are scary to think of and it is during these times, when I feel most lost, that I simply forget that God is constant even when I am not and he has for me a future of hope. God is constant even through the worst turmoil of our lives. Let's hold onto that.
Today, I will remember that the constant Lord always hears my prayers and has good plans for me.
Blessed Raymond Lull, dedicated missionary, pray for us.
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