“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.”
— Jeremiah 29:11

On a regular September morning in 2000, a girl named Jemimah Rodrigues was born into a lively, sports-loving family in Mumbai. Few knew that this bubbly, energetic child—who simply wanted to follow her brothers into the cricket field for some fun—would become one of India’s most loved cricketers and an unashamed witness for Christ.

But what makes Jemimah’s story powerful isn’t just the runs or the records. It’s how her journey reveals God’s plan, purpose, and power for anyone who is willing to trust and walk with Him.

God’s Plan: Trusting in His Design

When Jemimah was a child, her father would often watch her play with her brothers. It wasn’t long before he saw something different in her—skill, yes, but more than that, passion. She had trained hard. Her day began waking up at 5 AM, for thetraining sessions that started by 6:30. Mumbai local trains, long travel, juggling hockey and cricket—this was herlife.

By the age of 12, she was already playing Under-19 for Mumbai, having also excelled in hockey before deciding to pursue cricket. Her performance gave her chance to enter the Under-19 camp, a success there will lead her to glory – playing for India.

But it wasn’t all straight drives and centuries.

In her first Under-19 camp, Jemimah played 50 matches and scored just 150 runs.
“Why didn’t I perform better?” she asked herself. But that’s when she began to have a deeper encounter with Christ. Christ became more real for her. God spoke to her through Jeremiah 29:11, she understood God’s plan – “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

She trained harder. Her family, in faith, bought a bowling machine they could barely afford. That season? Jemimah topped the charts—most runs, most wickets, highest strike rate. But still, she didn’t make it to the Indian team. Why? Because she didn’t perform in the three matches that mattered most. Another setback. Another opportunity to ask:

“Am I willing to trust God’s timing more than mine?” Jemimah was ready pursue, because she knew God’s Plan for her.

Friend, are you struggling with a plan that seems delayed? Remember, God’s delays are never His denials. Your current disappointment may just be a detour to destiny. Even when circumstances seem daunting, trust that God has a plan for you. Your current struggles do not define your future.

God’s Purpose: Embracing Your Calling

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” — Jeremiah 1:5

In 2017, Jemimah was at a low point. Despite her stellar domestic season, she didn’t make it to the Women’s World Cup squad. She felt dejected. But during this season of frustration, she read a book that told her: “Keep something in front of you that reminds you of your dream.” It’s Abraham seeing God’s Promise whenever he sees the stars in heaven.

She took an image of India Women cricket Jersey, and put her face to it and kept it on her desk. She worked and trained God and focused on her Dream. And when her dream is aligned with God’s Purpose – What in the world can stop that?

Six months later, another opportunity came. This time she played well in crunch selection matches too. She was selected for the South Africa tour to represent India. God’s hand was evident in the selection – This time, instead of the usual 15, the selectors decided to take 16. Jemimah was number 16.

In her debut T20I against South Africa on Feb 13, 2018, she was part of a crucial partnership—scoring 37 off 27 balls. And in her own words, she knew:

“I have the royal blood of Jesus running through my veins and my saviour will lift me up”

Every time she steps onto the field, she prays. Not for victory alone, but for the courage to represent Jesus well and bring him Glory.

🔍 Are you clear about your calling? Are you placing reminders of God’s dream for your life in front of you every day? How are you persevering your Goal?

God’s Power: Overcoming Through Faith

“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”— Philippians 4:13

Like all of us, Jemimah has had seasons of form and failure. She was made to sit out in many matches. On the Sri Lanka tour, she was dropped for a match after a string of low scores. She sat out, watching, wondering, praying. She was down and thought “it was the end of my career.”

But, her captain and coach told her, they are backing her and said she will play all the T20s against Srilanka. Jemimah knew it’s an important opportunity to bounce back.

One that night, she poured her heart out to God & prayed. The next day just before the match, she offered what she called her talent as “five loaves and two fish” — a little talent placed in the hands of Jesus and asked Jesus to multiply her talents.

What followed? A 36 off 15 balls, three consecutive sixes, then scores of 50, 57, 42 in the following games. She was declared Player of the Tournament.

🚪 Have you come to the end of yourself? Good. That’s where God’s power begins.

“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” — 1 John 4:4

God’s Priority: God First,

Jemimah is a worship leader in her Church, a good guitarist. For her, Jesus isn’t a Sunday name—He’s her friend, coach, and confidante.

“Whether I play or not, Jesus loves me… He walks with me, hugs me when I’m low, and listens when no one else does.”

She plays the guitar. She leads worship. She reads her Bible daily. Her love for Jesus isn’t religion—it’s relationship. Looking at it, it appears She followed the principles in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, where she gave priority to her God, followed by family & career and then came the ministry to Christ.

In a world where ministry can easily become more important than God Himself, Jemimah reminds us:

“Jesus is more real to her. It’s like holding HIS hand and walking Life’s lane”

🎯 Are you prioritizing God—or your performance for God? Ministry should never become a substitute for intimacy with Christ.

Reflect

Are you wrestling with God’s plan because of delays or detours?

Do you know your purpose, or have you forgotten the dream?

Are you trying to perform in your own strength, or leaning on God’s power?

Are you keeping God first—or replacing Him with your activities?

Prioritize and Live by God’s Plan understanding HIS Purpose & Power

References:

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Articles – Staying Grounded, Promising Cricketer

Her Testimony Video