In Proverbs 16:9 it is written, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”  Don’t ever forget that!  You and I can make all the plans we want, but bottom line, God’s will is what will prevail every time.

This past week is a good example in my life.  Last Sunday after church I planned out the next two weeks of activities I would be engaged in regarding family, church, study, and ministry.  We would have Huntely Brown coming to give a concert, many games to attend, a lot of things to do to prepare for a prospective Worship Leader presentation.  In my mind I mapped out all that I would be having to do… but then came Monday.

I had a big flare up of my gallbladder.  I was hospitalized and after two days it was determined it would have to come out.  Thanks to a contact through my sister in law with a surgeon in Huntsville, we went on Thursday to have the procedure done.  But due to complications, what is usually a same day procedure became a three day hospital stay.  And as a result all my plans were out the window.  I found myself at the mercy of a sick and infected gallbladder, medication, and a longer than expected recuperation.

The lesson for me?  I can plan my life, but bottom line the Lord is in control.  It is at that point I have to determine who know what is better for me… Me or God?  And of course the answer is God.  I was reminded of another passage found in James 4:13-16…

  Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

Could I suggest that we all… every one of us… take a step back and realize just how fragile life is?  Could we stop and think for a moment that maybe… just maybe… God has something in mind for us that is NOT what we have in mind?  And then should we not have the faith to trust that WHATEVER God has for us is ultimatley much better that anything our plans are?

Yes… my plans were upset.  But on the other hand, I don’t know what God did (Or will do) as a result of this past week… yet.  I must trust Him and keep James 4:13-16 in mind whenever I make plans… that IF GOD WILLS I will do this or that.  Otherwise I am being presumptive and arrogant.

Was this past week fun?  No… not by a long shot!  Was it God’s will?  Of course it was!  Can I reconcile the two in my mind?  Not yet… but by faith I’ll trust that God is good and everything He does is for His glory and my ultimate good.

Take a while… evaluate your plans and the turns they take… then consider that God may be doing something you are not yet aware of.  If you’re confused, pray James 1:5, “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives (understanding) to all men liberally.”  And consider this, if you aren’t given understanding it means that God in His infinite and perfect wisdom has determined you don’t need to understand… or else you would understand!

Special thanks to Pam, Amy, Trey, Britton, Pace, Beth, and Brad!  You all are the most special people in my life and I love you all.  Another special thank you to all of WABC who prayed for me this week!