God's Wonderful Plan

“The will of God is not something you add to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Son of God…or you capitulate to the principle which governs the rest of the world.”  - Elisabeth Elliot

The end of summer here in the U.S. traditionally means that life slowly transitions from vacations, long, warm, sunny days, wearing flip-flop sandals and shorts, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the season. Additionally, it's the start of another school year, and knowing that cooler weather is just around the corner!

Isn't it fabulous when certain things just fall into place because we are so familiar with a routine that we can put our life on automatic pilot and simply fill-in the blanks? Very few of us would disagree on this point. The only thing that can break up this happy thought is when something happens that makes us deviate from the familiar path have been on.

Thus it was for the nation Israel in Exodus. Life was pretty straight-forward in that their daily routines were fairly well set. They led lives that were familiar and comfortable, although not happy ones. It wasn't until God heard their pleas for help that their lives were thrown for a loop.

God recruited Moses and Aaron to become his spokesmen to plead their case to Pharaoh on behalf of Israel (Exodus 7:1-2). Israel watched the battle between God and Pharaoh's gods, which really wasn't much of a battle at all because the outcome was already known to God. In the end, the Jewish nation was set free from the tyrannical grip of Pharaoh.

However, I'll bet that Israel, as badly as they wanted freedom from their Egyptian slavery, hadn't given much thought to what they would do from that point on. Similarly, many of us become so entrenched in our day-to-day lives that we, like the Israelites, tend to put God on the back burner until things start to heat up.

You might be familiar with the scripture, "knock and the door will be opened to you..." (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). Sometimes, when we are in our living-for-today mode, we become so wrapped up in what we are doing that we can't hear God knocking over the commotion and clatter in our lives.

And naturally, the next time God may even cross our stressed out and cacophonous lives is when we are at our wits end. Thankfully, God is very patient with us. He knows our thoughts and everything else that is going on in our lives (Psalm 44:21). Long before we reach the breaking point, God is already aware of it.

Like the Israelites, who cried out to God for his help, we too can submit our petitions no matter what they might be. But it's up to you and I to make the initial effort. God will not walk up to you and ask what is wrong. He doesn't need to. He's waiting for us to come to him as a child would approach a parent.

If it is His will to do something about it, he will.  Now, we may not be thoroughly satisfied with his reply, but that's because his thoughts are not ours. Besides, we wouldn't understand them in our pitifully, human minds anyway (Isaiah 55:9). However, He always has our best interests at heart.

Yes, it's great when a plan falls into place and everything works out. But, we have to be cautious and not become complacent. Troubles and sorrow are always lurking nearby as we go through our lives here on earth (Psalm 90:10). Fortunately, God has a plan for us. His plan, unlike any we may come up with, is unchangeable, and perfect.

Won't you allow God to change the course of your life today? I guarantee that you won't regret it. How can this all come about? Shhh..listen! Hear that knocking? .He's standing there, waiting for you to open the door to and let him in. And once you let Him into your life, it will never be the same.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 16:9; Job 42:2; Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer: Dear God, take ownership of me, guide me, prompt me, teach me, and instruct me in the way I should go. May your great plan for my life be fulfilled so I may be closer to you. Amen

May God bless you,

Amy