I Know the Plans I Have for You…

Bethany Hamilton is a professional surfer who happened to have her arm bitten off by a large Tiger Shark when she was thirteen years old. Now, in her early twenties, Bethany not only continues to surf, she still competes at the very top level of the sport. She is such an inspiration that a Hollywood movie about her life was made called, “Soul Surfer”! There is now an actual documentary about her life titled, “Unstoppable.” I highly recommend it!

Several years ago, Bethany came to an annual charity fundraiser race in our area called the “Never Quit Challenge.” She was a keynote speaker at an evening event. When Bethany was asked if she were able to do that day over – the day of the accident – would she stay out of the water, she answer, “No. I’d do it all the same.” Her reasoning was that the accident has given her an amazing platform to share a word of hope and inspiration with others – especially the young girls who really look up to her. You see Bethany Hamilton is a person of faith, and she knows the challenges these young girls face. In her message, she said: All of us face things in our life that make us want to quit – to give up. But you need to know that just as God had a plan for my life, God has a plan for you as well. God loves us. God loves you.”

Bethany also shared with this crowd of thousands that her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 11:29:

For surely I know the plans I have you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm to give you a future with hope.”

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for people like Bethany Hamilton who are an inspiration to us. We thank you for the way her faith in you helped her to overcome tremendous adversity, and for the way you have worked this adversity into a beautiful message of love and hope. I pray today for those who are facing heartache and loss in their own lives. Grant them faith, courage, and strength enough for this day; we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen