How often do your plans play out exactly as you imagined them? Probably not very often, unless its how your toast turns out every morning, and even then there is some variability. Even if they don’t turn out exactly as planned, often things still turn out ok, or sometimes even better than you thought they would, which seems to go against entropy, the second law of thermodynamics, in which things tend to move toward more disorder. Last week, I mentioned a few decisions some family and friends had to make, and none of these went according to plan either. My sister-in-law did not get the house she put an offer on, but ended up with an apartment that should work for a couple months. My friend who was headed for Denver ended up in a small town outside of Denver, where he is seeking the Lord’s lead. And despite a few road bumps, our family vacation went somewhat better than expected, despite a tendency toward chaos. What are some things that have turned out better than you expected, and what have been some events where things seemed to fall apart?
“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
Sometimes I feel like things go better than planned, in spite of myself. Where I see several opportunities for things to go South quickly, but somehow they continue to move forward, almost as if someone is willing it to happen. The fact that many people make it alive over 75 is a miracle in and of itself. Most of us can probably recall some close calls in a vehicle or otherwise where things would have been dramatically worse if a second or two, or a foot or two different from what happened. Sometimes things do go horribly wrong and people we love end up getting sick, or hurt, or killed in a situation that we think never should have happened, but did. Those things are not according to our plans, but they still happen, and we even ask, ‘God, why did this happen?’ But we seldom get an immediate answer to those inquiries, and we may not in this lifetime. One day, each of us will stand before our Maker, and we can ask Him then, if we must know. When your life on earth ends, how many questions will you have for God?
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
Imagine if everything went according to your plans, how would life be different for you and for others? If all of your wishes were granted, would you truly be a better person, or more selfish, or more thoughtful of others? Many with extreme wealth never feel they have ‘enough’, as there is always more to be gained, but they often start to realize there is more they can do with those resources to benefit others than just themselves. We make choices that affect others and ourselves every day in both big and little ways. When we put God first, and the needs of others before our own, then we are not as concerned about getting our own way all the time, and we can better see how things go according to plan, God’s Plan.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Yours in Christ,
Clark
