Most people enjoy going to the beach. I look forward to it all year.
It’s a chance to get away from everything and to relax. We enjoy walking the beach, eating delicious seafood, and spending some quality time together.
The beach is so peaceful and life’s problems seem to be miles away. If you haven’t picked up on it, we just got back from a trip to the beach.
Our first day down there was very warm. The water was calm and a bit cool. We crested the dune and saw the pelicans gliding across the water like bombardiers in formation.
We saw so many porpoises that first day that I lost count. I love to watch the water and catch sight of them as they come up for air. At one point I saw a porpoise about twenty-five feet off shore.
We saw a roped off area on the beach so we went to investigate it. There was a sign warning us that it was a sea turtle nest and to keep away.
We saw plenty of ghost crabs, some seagulls, and a few sanderlings. One evening while I was sitting on the porch I saw a fox. There are all kinds of wildlife at the beach.
Naturally, we came home with some seashells. My wife has a great time quietly looking through seashell beds.
She finds all kinds of treasures, including sea glass. I have to admit that I like picking up shells too, but her collection is always better than mine.
One of the main reasons I go to the beach is to spend some extended quiet time with the Lord. Sometimes I go to the beach to work through some problems, but this time I just wanted to spend some time with Him.
I wanted to hear His voice and to know His heart. The first thing I heard Him tell me was how much He loved me.
Sadly, I wondered why. All I could imagine was my sins and ways I had failed Him. He reminded me that my sins had all been washed away and that He was a proud Father. Even now the thought brings a tear to my eye.
God reminded me that His love for me was deeper than the ocean; that His good thoughts about me were more numerous than the sand on the seashore.
Tenderly, He allowed His Spirit to touch mine so I could feel His love towards me. There was a deep sense of joy and peace that washed over me like the ocean waves washing up on shore. He loves me.
Once that issue was settled, God wanted to talk about my future. God has plans for me, things He wants me to do. I have always believed that God guided me, but to imagine that He has specific things He wants me to do was a little less clear. While I was at the beach I read Ephesians, one of my favorite books. One verse grabbed my attention: Ephesians 2:10. “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God prepared things for me to do? I knew that, but for some reason it struck me in a deeper way as God talked with me about my future. He talked about His plans for my life. He told me that He wanted to bless me and prosper me as I endeavored to fulfill His purposes. He told me that His plans were better than I could imagine and that He believed th at I would be faithful to fulfill His call on my life.
I considered Joseph’s life. He was a dreamer and his brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph remained faithful and trusted God even through the darkest times. God used those circumstances to train Joseph so He could fulfill His purpose in life. God had planned the whole thing and He blessed Joseph. I believe that God has plans for our lives that are greater than any of us can imagine. I don’t want to settle for anything less than God’s best for my life.
I want to encourage you to consider the future God has planned for you. God’s destiny for your life always involves a training plan. Have faith in God. Trust Him as He leads you through whatever circumstances life throws your way. His plans will not be thwarted. God is good and He intends to bless you in ways you can’t imagine.
The future in God’s hands will be an adventure beyond our wildest dreams.

Doug Creamer lives in Faith. Read more at his website www.dougcreamer.com.