When I first moved to Branson, Missouri. I seriously thought that there was no way God had any great plans for me in this little town. I mean, I had just moved from New York City where the possibilities of becoming anything I wanted was endless. So the saying goes “If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere” and I clearly didn’t make it in New York. A huge part of that reason was because marijuana and opiates were more important to me. Feeling good in the moment, and of course, not getting sick was more important than whatever the future possibly held for me in Brooklyn, New York.

However, God had other plans for me. Bigger plans than I can even imagine right now. But, I’m so thankful that He allows me to see little parts of it to give me motivation and awareness to keep going. It’s like He’s leaving me little Easter eggs to let me know that I’m on the right course.

Honestly, Branson has been such a blessing. Just thinking back on how I started in Taiwan and how I ended up here is amazing. I can really recognize how God has been in it each step of the way. Every step, every detail has been planned out by Him. The chances of me being right here, right now, at this moment in time is slim to none. It’s not a coincidence, for any of us! It makes me think of when Mordecai said to Queen Esther after her long preparation for her role as a queen who will save her Jewish people, “Perhaps, you were born for such a time as this!”. All of our lives were thought out thoroughly and known to God from the beginning to the end. Now, we just have to rest in our faith on His promises, and step out in faith in His will.

However, as we are only human, sometimes we don’t always walk in His will. (Which is how I myself ended up in New York) Which is why we have His grace to lean on when we make mistakes. The amazing thing is, though the enemy may use your mistakes to harm you and others, God will eventually turn things around and use it for good.

Though I have some less than pleasant memories in Brooklyn, I have lots of incredible God encounter memories that I will never forget. And now that I’m in Branson and I live in a sort of “bubble” of God-fearing Christians, I have my past to look back on and see how much better and peaceful life is right now and be thankful for. Now, I feel this constant sense of peace that can only be described as God’s overwhelming sense of His presence. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. I had lost that feeling before; when I was using, and when I was consumed by the world.

Our society teaches us how to act, think, be anything but ourselves. I think that’s a huge part of why so many people are so lost in their addictions. We desperately want connections, so we try to connect with each other by persuading others that we think alike instead of having our own opinions and interests. God made us each with our own uniqueness. We are His masterpiece. And like a beautiful piece of art, we are all different and beautiful in its own way. However, I believe the world wants us to think oppositely. That we can only connect with each other if we think the same. What if, what makes us different, is what makes us feel connected? I challenge you to think outside the box if you can. You see, the world wants us to think that being different makes us want to compete with each other.

God didn’t create us without hope and purpose. From before the beginning of time, God has been making plans for you and me. He created this world with a variety of landscapes, colors, animals, plants, foods, smells, and textures…and He thought of everything to satisfy our needs, stir our imaginations, fascinate our minds, and give joy to our souls.

God’s also attentive to the great and impactful circumstances of your life. And He’s observant of details so small they escape your notice. He cares about the decisions, directions, problems, burdens, and conflicts that concern you.

Though the journey of seeking and living out God’s will may not be easy at times, it’s always worthwhile. When we listen to the Father and follow His will for our lives, we get His very best. It’s that simple. And we’ll experience the greatest joy and fulfillment imaginable because we’ll be living out the very reasons for which we were created.

If you are ready to learn more about God’s will and pursue His ultimate plan for your life. Click here.