Our Plans vs God's Plans
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Have you ever wondered about this verse? At first glance it might make you feel that even though God has told us that we are free to choose our own direction in life, maybe we aren't free after all, but take a look at what happened to me in this true story. Tell me, did I do exactly as I had planned to do, or did God use me along my way, tweaking my plans, and making them better?
Years ago I worked in one area of a hospital for most of the day, had an hour break or so and then went to another area to work for a few more hours there.
I recall one specific day that after I had worked in the first area I went to the second area and waited for my time to begin and when I arrived I found that they were closed for the day because of the holiday, but nobody had contacted me to let me know. My plans that evening were to drive 300 miles to see my wife who was attending a class for continuing education, but now I was behind what I could’ve been had I known.
As I drove home to get my stuff and prepare for the trip I recall being quite upset, and as I left my home my anger continued. As I got close to the freeway though I recall being sorry that I was angry because I knew that God was in charge.
I turned onto the freeway and within a quarter-mile I passed a man who was walking on the side of the road, but I don’t recall him hitchhiking actually. He wasn’t asking for a ride, but I as I drove past him a little voice inside of me told me to stop and pick him up. By the time I quit arguing with the voice I was at the next exit, so I turned off the freeway, went back around to the last exit and got back on the freeway. Then I stopped in front of him. As he came running to the truck he said, “There is a God”!
I recall being surprised by that remark, and I’m not sure exactly how I responded though I do recall telling him that God must love him a great deal, and telling him about me turning around to get him and why. I also recall that the next two hours turned out to be the shortest two hours of my life because he and I talked mostly about God and his love. We talked about how all the things that had happened had been used by God to bring us together at that exact point in time.
The Bible tells us that we can make our plans but that God will change them if we allow Him too. Keep in mind that God will never lead His children in a direction that they wouldn’t choose for themselves if they knew the end from the beginning like God does. My plan to drive to see my wife became a reality, but God sure changed my attitude! I am still praising our God!
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
