What do you want to be when you grow up?

This is a question that you have at least heard once in your life. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Usually, if we're young, we answer with a simple, "Oh, I want to be a doctor." or, "I'm going to be policeman." or, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a ballerina." The particularly young sometimes answer with especially innocent answers, such as "I want to be a daddy," or "I want to be a princess."

But as we begin to grow older, the thought of what we want to be often baffles us. When asked the question, we can only respond lamely with, "Oh, I'm not sure yet." Those asking the question will smile and offer some advice, or encouragement, and then we're left alone with the uncertainty of the path ahead, more confused and unsure than before.

Because truthfully, how do we know what we want to be? Can we really count our dreams as the fuel for the future? How can we be sure as to what is the right path to take?

That is the biggest thing. How do we know that what we hope and dream for, and who we want to become - how do we know that that's the right way to go? Are all of our ambitions and wishes to come to naught? Do they really even matter?

Faced with this, we lose all sight of what we could become. "Oh, but I'm not good enough to become this." or "I'll never be able to be like that, so why even try?" When faced with the fear of inadequacy, we balk and shy away from the possible future. If it's an impossible dream, why even hope, much less try?

But how do we know what is impossible? Where is the line between reality and fantasy when it comes to life?

How can we be sure that what we're on is the right track?

When confronting this, we are wishy-washy with decisions. "Maybe I should have done this," we think, or "Was that the right choice?" We doubt our ability to clearly and concisely choose between the right or the wrong. Everything becomes horribly gray, instead of the black and white; gone is the clarity, and in comes blurriness.

We have all faced this at one time or another. The future can be scary--the fear of the unknown cripples people to such a degree that they cannot, and will not, move. Anything new is frightening--anything unknown is to be steered away from.

The many paths that we will take in our lives are like flickering candles. A gust of wind comes and one goes out--the flame cannot live. We are left with the other ones. We are left trying to find which candle to hold, to cherish. Which candle is the one to choose? Which path shall we take? Which road is the right one?

Where are our lives leading us?

We don't know. We won't ever know completely. And that's what scares people. That's what cripples them with fear to such a degree that they are unable to move ahead--to move forward.

But He knows.

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you. He knows what He has planned out--He knows. His plans are not to harm you--but to prosper you. They are plans that are given especially to you--uniquely created for you, and your life. They are plans to give you hope. They are plans to give you life. They are plans to give you a future.

God will not abandon you. He will be with you as you learn who you are, and are to be. He will be with you no matter what--He knows the plans for you.

Gone is the fear of the unknown. We can throw off the cloak of uncertainty and embrace the future--embrace what is coming. We have nothing to fear--God knows the plans for our lives. He planned it all out--He has it all ready. We just need to embrace that.

He knows what we will do. He knows where we will go. He knows who we will become.

He knows.

When asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" We can now respond. "I'm going to be who God created me as--who that is, I'm still learning. Maybe I'll be an artist--or perhaps an author. I don't know, but I'm following His path. I will be who I am."

After all, that's the best person to become. ;-)