I think humans seem to run in two
groups; those who could care less about tomorrow or those of us who are constantly
thinking about and planning for our future.
Although I believe plans are very important, I am beginning to feel that
I put too much value in the plans I have made for myself.
As I stood outside this morning
waiting for the kids who walk through my crosswalk I begin to think about the plans
that I am always making. I was struck
that lots of my plans start with doing what God has called me too, and then planning
how I am going to live out that calling.
But then I get frustrated along
the way when things do not go as I have planned. What struck me is that I get frustrated where
MY plans take over. I started to think
about Abraham and especially the plans God laid before him. Cold air and lots of traffic noise seem to
get my brain going in the morning; hopefully it is not just the exhaust fumes. Look with me at Genesis 15 and 16. Here is a little piece.
Genesis 15:2-6 (NLT)
But
Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord,
what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve
given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will
inherit all my wealth. You
have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Then
the Lord said to him, “No, your
servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be
your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him,
“Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many
descendants you will have!”
And
Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of
his faith.
When
I reread this passage this morning I had to smile, and notice that Abraham was
a planner too. God has just promised to
bless Abraham in verse 1 now in verse 2 Abraham is right away making a plan to
accomplish God’s blessing. Since he had
no children he was looking to his servant to carry the blessing. God steps in and lays down his plan, “Abraham
you will have your own son” basically a reminder, hey Abraham this is My (God's) plan
for you. So what does Abraham do he set
a new plan to action (we read about this in Genesis 16) to accomplish God’s
blessing and Ishmael is born. And was
Ishmael God’s plan for Abraham? No, once
again Abraham is trying to accomplish what God had promised He would
accomplish.
I
believe I always run into this tension of what I plan and what God plans for my
life. I felt called to serve God and knew
that meant going to Bible College, so I planned to attend Moody in Chicago. Moody did not want me so I planned to attend
for a year at Oak Hills in Bemidji Minnesota, and then transfer to Moody. In the end I stayed at Oak Hills all 4+ years it was a
great school and it put me in the place to be equipped and trained for
ministry. But it was not my plan, and I
was still greatly blessed, I met my wife and had many great experiences. I planned on graduating College and serving
in a church right away! But that is not what happened I spent 7 years working
in a Group Treatment center. I felt like
I was put on the bench, this was not my plan. I spent much of my time there
frustrated that I was not doing what "God wanted of me." Now I think I was just frustrated because my
plans were not the same as what God was planning in my life, I just thought my plans were on par with God's. The
reality, once again as I look back I was very blessed by my time “on the bench” working
my unwanted job. I enjoyed the people and
the work I was doing. I was transformed
by that job, I will never see the world the same again. I was blessed freezing, in northern Minnesota
for 17 years. Who would have made that plan for themselves? But I was not
living my plan, I guess that is the
point.
Time
and time again I find my plans bring frustration, but God’s plans bring
blessings. Why is it this way? I think as people we want a clear plan and
destination, we want to make a single life defining change that lays out our
course. We want to be changed just not
transformed. But, God wants transformation, let
at Philippians 1:6
Philippians
1:6 (NLT)
And I am certain that God, who
began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally
finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
We are always looking for the
ending we see for ourselves. But Paul is reminding the Philippians of the beginning,
and then noting that it is God’s work, and His finishing day. I have to remind myself that my best plans are
to keep listening, keep being transformed, keep following and try'n to keep
up.
