I have a vision for what God has called me to do. I believe it is God’s plan. But there’s something about vision and plans we often don’t talk about …

God has a plan for us, and He will protect us in order to accomplish that plan. But, the road to that plan may be paved with hardships, heartbreak and struggle. It may also be paved with joy, excitement and blessing. Either way, God will protect us on that journey. But, He doesn’t promise to shield us from trouble. 

I was reading Acts 27 this week. Paul was on the ship headed to Rome, where he knew God had called him. The ship had trouble and was inevitably going to sink. The people on board were scared, in a panic actually. They were hungry and worried.

In that mix was Paul. You know the guy who wrote the bulk of the New Testament, the guy who planted more churches than anyone else in his time and the guy with “superman” like faith. That guy was in danger of being killed in a shipwreck. He was uncomfortable, I imagine he wasn’t too happy and certainly didn’t have everything he needed in that moment. But, He knew something … God was still in control. Take a second and read this:

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island. —Acts 27:23-26, ESV

I read this and realized something; God is on our side but isn’t promising an easy journey. Life may be tough, ministry will at times be rough and you may feel like giving up.

But, if you’re still breathing, God’s not done with you. Hang in there and keep pursuing the vision God has given you! If God has called you to it, He will make sure you survive to get it done! Stand confident that God is in control. You will survive and you will accomplish what God has for you!