Embracing a New Way - God's Way

Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity. (Psalm 51:8-9 NIV)

When I read through this Psalm, I am reminded of how little control I maintain over my life and my future. I may think my life is all together, that I am always in control, but truth be said out loud, I am so out of control it isn't funny.

There is a picture in my mind's eye of what I want tomorrow to look like. In an instant I am confronted with reality. The reality is, I don't know best, but God does. He sees the big picture and only He understands my true needs. 

As I prayed this morning, and scribbled in my journal those scripture verses that touched me, I came to realize I am not praying for God's will. I am assuming my will is best and I am focusing on those dreams and ambitions I dumped on my prayer-table over the years.

I made a decision a few weeks ago and I now recognize it as, 'me' controlling my future. And controlling this future in the way I want to see played out. I have been praying, but not listening with open ears. My heart and mind already focused on my dream, not God's response. I need to practice listening - opening myself to what God planned for me. I understand from experience how His way is best. These aren't just nice words, they are truth. Truth, something I need to invite more of in my life.

Is there something you are praying about and trying to control at the same time? Why don't we give up this behavior together? We can discover what it is like to hear God and to follow His plan and not ours. I want to find out. Are you with me?

Perfect Plan

If there is one thing I am learning from life, it is the importance of having a plan. A plan is like a road map in that it plots a course to take when on a journey. We all know that any plans we make need to be tempered with a bit of spontaneity, as there are always detours ahead. Perhaps a bridge was washed out by flooding, or road redirected due to construction forcing us to find an alternate route.

A plan is helpful, if not necessary, for many things we want to accomplish. Our calendar helps us plan our day and ensures that we are kept on schedule. A food diary is an eating plan for those of us who are trying to control our diets. Without a plan we leave ourselves open to failure. Without a plan I am not required to think ahead and I am allowing my emotions to guide my way.

To have a plan is to have a chance to do things in an orderly and wise fashion. I think that is why the scripture verses for today are meaningful to many of us; we long to have an effective plan, but even more important is the realization that God also has a plan.

God, who sees the big picture of our life, has a plan. This plan was in place before we were. "All the days ordained for me where written in your book." (Psalm 139:16)  When going through rough times it is comforting to know that God has a plan for me. He love me and isn't going to leave me hanging. Because of His love, there is a plan.  Jesus is that plan for my bright future. But, meanwhile, as we travel though this tangle of twists and turns, there is a meaningful destination. We aren't called to meander the maze blindly.

The famous words, "I know the plans I have for you..." (Jeremiah 29:11), are not empty, but filled with promise. God is with us, He has a plan, even when we don't.

Jeremiah 29:10-14