A Devotional Moment

YOU CAN MAKE PLANS, BUT THE LORD’S PURPOSE WILL PREVAIL. ~ PROVERBS 19:21

People often work hard to plan their studies, their work, their home, and their leisurely pursuits. While plans are good and help to accomplish much, there are some situations that cannot be planned. Changes can happen suddenly and throw everything that is planned out of kilter. Christians must learn to lean on God when a situation is out of their control.

In Garrett’s Gift, the protagonist had his life planned out, but a catastrophic event changed all his hopes and dreams. Stuck in the despair of never reaching his goals, he changes his life…but not his heart. Brooding over the might-have-beens consumes his waking moments. But another catastrophic change leaves him questioning his choices and his life. A friend urges him to turn to God, who makes good out of any tribulation. But can his heart heal?

Have you ever been so waylaid by the unexpected that you feel paralyzed? Perhaps it was it your own plan unravelling or perhaps you were the victim of someone else’s plan—and the surprise, hurt, or loss left you unable to move forward. It’s important to remember that even when your life gets upended, the Lord is in control. What happens is either His designed will or permitted will. If you lean on Him, all will work out to a good purpose. If it’s your own plan that was thwarted, perhaps that plan was flawed or detrimental in some way that you couldn’t foresee, and God’s design or permittance has actually saved you. If it’s the plans of others that have victimized you, perhaps God’s permittance of the hardship will strengthen and mould you to a greater purpose than you could have readied for yourself. The Key is to remain faithful and steadfast. In time, the perfection of the Lord’s purpose will be revealed.

LORD, WHEN I PLAN, HELP ME ALWAYS TO MAKE ROOM FOR YOUR PURPOSE SO THAT I CAN ACHIEVE WHAT YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR MY LIFE. WHEN I AM ON THE LOSING END OF SOMEONE ELSE’S PLANS, HELP ME TO STAY CLOSE TO YOU, SO THAT I DON’T BECOME JADED. USE ME IN WAYS THAT WILL GLORIFY YOU AND GIVE ME THE LIFE THAT SUITS MY SKILLS AND TALENTS BEST. IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY, AMEN.