When Do Your Plans Collide with God's Purpose?

A pivotal event often corresponds to a particular moment when a new direction in life is undertaken. Hannah was unable to conceive and give birth to a child. In desperation she promised God if he would permit her to give birth to a son, she would dedicate him to God for his entire life.

When a son was born, she named him Samuel, which meant “heard from God.” When Samuel was three, Hannah and her husband took him to Eli the priest to be dedicated and trained as a servant of God. Hannah did not forget Samuel. Once a year she visited him and brought him a special gift.

Giving birth to Samuel and dedicating him to God were pivotal moments for Hannah. These changed her identity and self-esteem. She believed God had heard her prayers, and this made him completely trustworthy. 

A pivotal moment in your life will occur when by faith you acknowledge all things are possible with God, who loves you.                 

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You may make your plans, but God directs your actions. 

~Proverbs 16:9 Good News Bible

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Warning: Disappointments Ahead!

While it's impossible to avoid all disappointments, it is possible to derive a better understanding of oneself and others by determining if too high expectations or unrealistic ones were involved. Disappointments can build a bridge to disenchantment and disillusionment, or they can build a bridge to insight on how to prevent future problems and failure.

This is true for relationships when certain behaviors indicate trouble will be part of the future. Warning signs that disappointments lie ahead should not be ignored. They are an invitation to proceed only with caution. Blaming God and others for poor perception and judgment should be avoided.

Of course Moses was disappointed by not being permitted to enter the Promised Land. He accepted this as God's will. What greater blessing could he experience than accepting God's will and purpose? Listen to Proverbs 16:9: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord God determines his steps." Is this true for you?  

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Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning, [O Lord,] for I trust in you. Teach me the way in which I should walk, for to you I lift up my soul.  

~Psalm 143:8 New American Standard Bible

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Choose God's Narrow Pathway

Where feelings of inadequacy exist, it's quite natural to believe someone else is better suited for a given task. Moses was convinced of this when God set out to recruit him to tell the Hebrew slaves in Egypt that the Lord God had heard their cries and planned to free them. Moses used every imaginable argument to resist taking the job.

Moses stood at a crossroads, and his choice would determine if he continued to live in obscurity or take a job that would be discussed for the duration of history. Robert Frost's poem relates a similar choice: "Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

Jesus also spoke of two roads. One was broad and easy but led to destruction. The other was narrow and few would choose it, but it would lead to life. The road Moses finally chose was filled with hardships and demanded sacrifice, but God's reward would overshadow the price paid to follow the path the Lord laid out for him.

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We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.

~Proverbs 16:9 The Living Bible

 

For God himself has said, “I will never fail you, I will never forsake you.” So we can confidently say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can men do to me?”

~Hebrews 13:5-6 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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