“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Prov. 16:9).
How many times have I made plans in my life only to see them swept away as quick as an Oklahoma tornado, slamming the cellar door shut? Have you heard the saying, “We make plans and the Lord laughs”?
Sometimes, it is true. Our plans are not the Lord’s, and He has to come along and redirect the way we are going. Sometimes abruptly, in my case!
I want to live in such a way that I welcome God’s interruptions. That I trust Him fully, knowing He has better plans for my life than I could ever imagine. He sees the broader picture of how our lives play out and what is best for each of us.
But what happens when “our plans” get bumped?
Do we welcome God’s breeze to blow us in a new direction?
People who embrace God’s interruptions do not get upset when those interruptions happen. They can change with the wind; they are free to enjoy the process and not just the end result, and they have a joy in their step even when things aren’t going their way.
I want to live like that! I want to live fully trusting in God even when my life has taken me down a road I didn’t plan to travel.
The word “establishes” in Prov. 16:9 means, “Determined, provides, prepares, sets in place, directs, to be ready, to arrange.”
When our heart’s plan is in sync with what the Lord’s will is, He prepares everything beforehand, so the “plan” we have determined is accomplished. Before the end is established, the result was set in place by the hand of God!
Think about that for a moment.
You have hopes and dreams, goals, longings, ministries, plans. If the Lord’s will is for those to come into fruition, it’s as good as DONE! God will direct your steps and show you the way. It is His will. He placed the longing in your heart in the first place. Ultimately, it is His dream and His goals for your life! And if it is from Him, nothing can stop it from being accomplished!
We can rest and trust in Him to accomplish that which He has directed us to do.
Go ahead, make your plans. God has given each of us hopes, dreams, plans and desires, but don’t get tossed in the wind and blown away when He comes along and changes your plans!