God’s Plan for Your Life

So, it’s cold outside—really cold. I just came back in the house after being called out to a friend’s house who has a broken water pipe, and whose husband is on the road driving a truck. The city has just recently replaced her water meter, and in doing so, completely buried the shut off valve under 10 inches of mud – making it nearly impossible to find in the cold…and in the dark of night. I was able to get the water turned off, made a repair plan for tomorrow morning, and made my way back home – and it got me thinking.

If this year has taught us anything at all, it has taught us to expect the unexpected.

The best-laid plans are so easily derailed, are they not? Life happens – and it happens in an instant, leaving us wondering what in the world has happened – and how can we regain control of our direction.

Truth is…having control of life’s direction is a farce – it’s a mirage; and while that may seem concerning, it can be incredibly exhilarating! The key word to interject at this moment would be trust… .

In a few days, a majority of us in this community will ponder something we have all come to refer to as “new Year’s Resolutions”—or as I like to call them—an exercise in futility! They go a little something like this (and these are in no certain order, nor are they a representation of any changes that I currently feel the need to make!):

I’m going to lose some weight, I’m going to go to church at least twice a month, I’m going to watch less tv, I’m going to take my wife out on more dates this year, I’m going to stop kicking the dog, I’m going to say hi to that one person in town that I absolutely cannot stand when I see him / her in the coffee shop.

I’m going to stop driving so fast, I’m going to stop drinking so much, I’m going to start exercising, and stop putting things off until tomorrow. I’m going to be nicer, calmer, less abrasive, easier to talk to, easier to get in touch with, harder to offend, spend less, save more, chill out…and sleep well – because it’s a new year…and because I totally failed at it last year. Here’s the problem – life happens!

Here’s the other problem with this intuitive approach to the next year, that is currently knocking on the door—it’s the wrong point of view. What if—and I’m meddling here—but what if we are about to begin the new year heading in the wrong direction? What if our prepared new year’s resolution is so centered on self, that we forgot to ask the Lord what he would like to see different in us this next year…and could that be why we are always so unsuccessful in these pursuits?

What if we are already focusing on things that He is not interested in – and in doing so, we are completely overlooking the things that He would like to see change.

While I certainly believe that God is willing to assist us in our pursuits of wholeness, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26. I also believe that there is something far greater happening in our lives. God has a plan—a perfect plan; and one that leads us on the right path…a path straight to His presence, and all that He has for us in this new year – in this life. In Isaiah 43:19 the Lord declares… Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? Shall you not know it?…

Shall you not know it? My goodness, what a question. To think that we could possibly spend the next year of our lives missing out on what God has in store for us…and in the name of a New Year’s Resolution! So here is what I humbly suggest – Trust.

Let’s begin this new year by asking our creator what He desires for us in this new year. Let’s have an honest conversation with God about His plans and desires for us come January 1 and let’s use that as our life’s compass for the next year; and let’s trust that He intends to accomplish all that He has in store for us – and our families.

I did not plan for the call I got tonight about the broken water line at our friend’s house – but on January 1 of 2022, I did ask God to help me to be aware of His plan and His timing in my life. So, when our dear friend called, and asked If I could come and assist her with the problem… I was aware that God was in it, He had to be, and I trusted that.

As I arrived at the house, I asked God to help me help her – and He did. All of a sudden, I experienced something miraculous…” I’m going to be nicer, calmer, easier to get along with, easier to get in touch with – I’m going to sleep better” became a reality for me; and God changed me.