Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
On Monday October 24th, I finished up with archery customers early enough that I was finally going to have an opportunity to head to the field. This was my first opportunity and I was pretty revved up. I was headed to a new farm, one I had never even set foot on. I had been picking it apart via satellite and had a good notion of the lay of things and approximately where I wanted to be. The wind was right for the plan I had laid out in my head and I was on my way in. I got down to the area that I intended to set up. Things looked very promising, in fact, better than I had imagined. As I searched out a suitable tree for a stand, I looked down at my bow and felt as if I’d been punched in the gut. In my haste, I grabbed everything I would need for the afternoon hunt, save one. I left my quiver hanging in the shop! Needless to say, it’s hard to loose an arrow you don’t have.
“There goes my well laid plan!” I had been eagerly awaiting this opportunity, done what recon I could do via google earth, and I blew it. Decision time. Do I call it a bust and just head home and back to work in the archery shop? I was leaning that direction, when a still small voice comes to me. “This isn’t a bust if you allow it not to be.” How could it not be? I don’t have time to get set up the way I wanted. “It’s an opportunity to survey what this farm has to offer.” Well, I suppose I can setup on the ground at a vantage point that affords me a view of things. I could set up at a safe distance, so as not to disturb things, yet gather good intelligence. Perhaps, I might even get an opportunity. Regardless, I’m going to use this “opportunity” as a stepping off point for future days.
Perspective and Attitude. What happened to me on Monday, my mistake, is indicative to how things play out in our day to day lives, as well. We plan our day, generally, start to finish. We plan our weeks, more or less. We plan our life, so to speak. We plan our projects, our vacation, our children’s lives, our retirement. Let me ask you, despite our best laid plans, how often do things follow the plan you plotted? Things come up. Situations change, mistakes get made, mindsets evolve, difficulties arise, victories take different forms. There’s all manner of reasons that our plans do not come together or have the desired conclusion. My point is, as Proverbs 16:9 alludes to, we plan, but God directs. Our lives will not always lead to where we want. Where or what we want, may not be what we get. Sometimes, despite our plans, God will direct our steps in a way we couldn’t see, and perhaps didn’t want. This is where trust, faith in His design comes into play. Can you trust, that He will place the steps He’d have you take? It may not always be the course you thought you wanted, what you planned for, but can you trust Him?
My “blown” hunt is a simple illustration, but an example on a small scale of how Proverbs 16:9 plays out. I had a plan, God directed things despite my plan. Where is He altering your plans? What’s your perspective when this happens? Can you adjust your perspective? Can you trust God and follow His direction?
Monday’s hunt concluded with a loosed arrow through the vitals of a beautiful 10 point. Despite my disappointment in unraveled plans, with a new perspective, I followed the new opportunity God was directing. What proceeded from that was something totally different from what I could have imagined. It was exciting, exhilarating, exceeding my best laid expectations. I was humbled, educated, astounded and confounded. His direction, not my plan, led to that. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
