God Had Other Plans
Trusting the Lord to navigate your life
Recently my family was supposed to make the nearly 5-hour trip to Hot Springs, AR to visit my brother’s family. Though I wasn’t looking forward to the long drive, I knew it would be a fun time with family I don’t see often, and I know our children we’re really looking forward to it.
We were supposed to leave at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. However, Friday night was filled with a trip to our storm shelter (yet again). As we woke up that next morning, the radar looked awful. It was evident we’d be driving in severe weather, and I wasn’t about to do that. We had to make the unfortunate decision to go. The kids were devastated.
God simply had other plans.
The Lord guides our life; he directs our planning 100% of the time. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Let me give you a brief crash course on some of the plans I had growing up.
Leave town after high school graduation to pursue a career as a golf professional (think golf course manager, not Tiger Woods)
What really happened: stayed in the same town to attend the university there due to a wonderful scholarship opportunity (and have never left).
Propose to my then-girlfriend (now-wife) after I graduate college
What really happened: proposed the spring semester of my senior year
Get married at 25, first kid at 27, second kid at 29
What really happened: married at 22, first kid at 24, second at 26
These are a few examples. There have been countless others in my life pertaining to what job I am in, whether or not to pursue official ministry, or to go back to school. In each circumstance, God has changed my plans to fit his. And that’s wonderful, even if it hurts in the moment sometimes.
I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of plans that were altered by the Lord. Sometimes we get to understand why he changed them, as it’s made plain to us. More often than not, though, we don’t see why plans were changed. We simply trust. We have faith that the Lord knows best, that he is sovereign and good and wise beyond all comprehension.
Our plans being changed can be frustrating, definitely when it’s something we’re looking forward to. In September 2022, I was planning to head to the For the Church Conference with a couple church members. I had been excited about it for awhile. However, I had a medical episode two days before the trip. Though I was cleared to travel and attend, I didn’t think it would be in my best interest, so I stayed home. I was extremely bummed.
Do I have to understand why that happened so that I couldn’t go? No; I simply have to trust God’s timing, ways, and provision for my life. That’s what he calls all of us to. Scripture doesn’t prohibit us from making plans; it exhorts us to not make plans arrogantly apart from God’s providential care and wisdom. In other words, we must make plans with God at the forefront, knowing our entire lives are in his hands. “Nothing happens apart from the Lord. He’s sovereign over everything—including our plans,” Deepak Reju wrote. “Take comfort. The Lord goes before you to establish your pathway. He’s governing your path. Do you always get what you plan for? No. Much like a child whose parents see what is best for him, God knows what’s best for us.”
We can let God take control of our life and plans because we know he’s for us. He’s not trying to destroy our lives or drive us to despair. He’s not attempting to antagonize or frustrate us. He’s simply being God and exercising dominion and control over us, which is what we should want. Let God be God, and we will listen to his leading.
Thank you, Blake. This is an awesome substack reminding us to step aside and let God take the lead. Also, as I have been reminded often, there are many people who factor into our lives experiences, just as our experiences factor into the life experiences of other people, too. One day, in heaven, I hope to see the intricacies of God's plan as I worked in my lifetime on earth, and the multiple dimensions of people who factored into it.