What’s the Plan? How often do you find yourself saying those
words? Personally, I say it almost every day. In the mornings, I discuss plans
for the day with my daughters and most evenings my husband and I compare notes
on the week’s agenda.
For better or for worst, I am a woman with a plan; from
pregnancies to parties to career. I don’t want to be caught off guard and I
want to know that all the loose ends are tied up.
Presently, God is challenging me to lay down my plans and to
trust in His plans. Our family is facing some difficult decisions in regards to
my grandma’s health. Every inch of my being is screaming to, “MAKE A PLAN!” but
at this point the situation is very fluid so future plans cannot be made.
The Lord has been bringing to my mind one of Grandma’s
favorite sayings, “If the good Lord wills it.” Meaning, if it be the will of
God then, yes, she will make it to the bookstore, to the doctors, out to lunch,
etc. With this simple statement, grandma is always reminding herself to keep
Gods plan in focus not her own.
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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.
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Over 89 years of righteous living, Grandma has come to the
realization that no matter how much she plans or worries it is His plan which
will ultimately prevail.
Pro 19:21 Many are the
plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.
The Lord’s plans are always bigger and better than what our
human minds can conger up. He can see the whole picture; where as we are lost
in the fine details. I was reminded of God’s “big picture” plans this week while
reading Exodus 13:17-18.
Exd 13:17-18 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not
lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.
For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to
Egypt.
So God led the people around by the desert
road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.
The Israelites were at a tentative place in their walk with
the Lord. He knew that great opposition could very easily send them running
back to Egypt. The Israelites, like us, had their own idea of what God would
do. They believed that they would have to travel through Philistine country and
would face the possibility of war so “the Israelites went up out of Egypt armed
for battle.” They had their own plan but little did they know that God’s plan
would far exceed anyone’s expectations. The Lord was looking at the big
picture.
By leading them through the desert towards the Red Sea, the
Lord would perform an awe inspiring miracle of parting the Red Sea. “And when
the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians,
the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his
servant.” (Exd. 14: 31)
Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.” Although I may continue to make plans, I
have decided to let go of the reigns and know that ultimately the Lord
determines my steps. After all, I don’t want to miss a Red Sea moment in my
life! Do you?
In the words of my Grandma, “If the Lord wills it, I will
post again soon.”
