A Change of Plans

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ 

Jeremiah 29:11

The week had been unusually busy. As each day passed, I was painfully aware I hadn’t started work on the Bible study I teach on Sunday. However, when I got up Thursday morning, I thought, At last I’ll have time to work on my lesson plan. Then the phone rang.

Our grandson had an earache and couldn’t go to school. Grandmotherly assistance was needed. There went my plans for the day. I felt perplexed by the change in direction.

As I ate a bowl of cereal, I opened a devotion book and began to read. My eyes widened as they moved down the page. The devotion talked about the God-given opportunity of being a grandparent. 

God was speaking to me in a loud, clear voice. Spending the day with my grandson was an opportunity to invest in his life. As I considered this, my frustration began to fade into truth.

So what if my schedule was interrupted! God knew about my deadline. I was confident He’d help me put the Bible lesson together before Sunday.

Sometimes God drops a very significant ministry opportunity right into my lap. 

When that happens, I pray I’ll be flexible enough to exchange my plan for the one God offers. 

God does have plans for us: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). His plans are far better than ours. His plans are our best opportunities. 

Father, help me to be open to Your plans, to sudden and unexpected opportunity. 

Carol