Friday, April 17, 2015

So... Whatcha' Got Planned?

Hey Everyone… this week has been overcast, drizzly and dreary with a slight chill in the air which makes me long for a cup of hot chocolate accompanied by a really large marshmallow; PJ’s and throw blanket included and since I’m on a roll I may as well lay back and watch a heart-warming film on Netflix… What? Like you wouldn’t? Well, that’s my plan and I’m sticking to it… maybe.

Sooo… whatcha’ got planned?

The dreaded question, although simple; I use to hate it, mainly because I never had any plans, NEVER---EVER. It made me look like I had no life, *ahem* excuse me… it confirmed that I had no life outside of work or church. Just the same ole-same ole; day in-day out, mundane kind of thing. Albeit, a cup of hot chocolate, etc., seems like much-a-do about nothing, chillaxin’ does require some creative initiative, it doesn’t just happen. Okay, maybe for some this comes quite naturally, but effort is still required.


So what’s my point? It’s cool to make plans, no matter how over the top, elaborate, fireworks bursting in air, BEST-DAY-EVER!!! WOO HOO!!!... to the laid back, meditating, not worried about a thing, resting in the Lord ‘cuz He’s got me covered… I like that plan.

But seriously, life is more than making plans or living for the weekend. Some of us will be blessed with a long life and some of us; not so long, but still blessed. So what we do with our time is very important, we need to be efficient stewards with the time our Father has given to us. This year, I will be 46 years old… I know I can hardly believe it myself. That’s 16,801 days old; it’s also 403,227 hours lived; that’s some perspective, huh? I always find myself saying; “the week has gone by so fast” “the year went by so fast”. I guess the question I should really ask myself is, “what am I doing with my time?” “What is my purpose in life?” “Do my plans come into agreement with God’s plan?”

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE KINDGOM OF GOD

Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

The best laid plans come from our Father, after all He’s the one with the plan and purpose for our lives, right? He’s compelled us throughout the ages to trust Him; to ask, seek, and knock; to acknowledge Him in all our ways: to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. It’s in Him that we live, move, breathe and have our being; apart from Him we can do nothing.  Our Father is the one who is Always Present, All Powerful, and All Knowing… sounds good to me, but why do I fight so hard against it.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (NLT)

So, what do I do when God throws a monkey wrench in my plans?

Confession… I throw a natural fit until I come to my Spiritual-Christ Minded Senses. Every now and again… but very-very-very far in-between I become that pouty, temper-tantrum, what the what, woe is me, you have got to be kidding, crying on the inside, spasm on the outside child of God. I never did that with my parents, but for some obscure reason I do that with God. Now, in my defense I’ve come to realize that there is some stuff in my heart that needed to be worked out; crucified, so therefore anything that must be put to death will be painful, hence the fits.  So, I’ve learned not to be hard on myself when I have those “come to Jesus” moments because at the end of the day it was all for my good; God’s perfect plan prevails, yet again and I’m GRATEFUL.

Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (NLT)

STORY TIME: I took a day trip which was 4 hours one way and 4 hours back for a total of 8 hours. Half way back I get a call from someone who was in distress, they were going where I had just come from; there vehicle broke down on the interstate and they needed help getting someone to where… like I said, I had just come from. Me, being the Christian that I am said, “sure, no problem”….. NOT!!!! My response was “ummm….okay” she told me where she was and I hung up my cell. That’s when I began to give God the Glory for choosing me to do this service for someone who was in desperate need of help…. NOT!!!! That’s when I threw a fit because after all…. I HAD A PLAN AND A SCHEDULE TO KEEP.

You see, my plan was this: I left home at 5am in the morning so that I could get back home by 2 pm that afternoon. I’m that type of person who likes to stick to a plan; did I say I had a schedule to keep… that is how I roll, because I was in control.  So, after I throw my fit driving down the interstate I begin working behind the scenes trying to get in contact with some others who were still down that way; hoping and praying that they would surely do this good deed because that would be loving thy neighbor as thyself, right.

Well, God had other plans and He reminded me of that in His ever-so loving gentle way. Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “Do you remember, when you said you would do anything I asked of you even if it meant re-arranging your whole day?” That’s when I said. “Lord, you are so right, I’m sorry.” NOT!!!! I continued with my tantrum, knowing the whole time I was going to do it… I was careful, not to let these people see my less than pleased/unwillingness to do this... attitude.

Once, I managed to find where they were, I picked up the individual, took her back to where I came from; then I went back to where the others were broke down at; waited for the tow truck to come; followed them to where the vehicle was being towed; then we ended up being stuck in traffic; then we made it to the location, waited around some more for details about the vehicle; then we finally got back on the road towards home; I dropped them off; and it was around 9pm when I got home.

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans but the Lord determines our steps. (NLT)

This was so hard for me to do, but it shouldn’t have been because I’m a Christian and we are not supposed to act like that, right? That incident stuck with me for days, is it okay for me to say I was POED. Just so you know, that was about two years ago, I did repent and my heart soon softened.
That whole experience taught me that I was not where I thought I was spiritually, I'm glad My Father used that event in my life; it was certainly a teachable moment and I thank God for is grace and mercy towards me and for trusting me to do the honorable thing, even though it was hard.

I share this story to say, our lives should not be about ourselves or our own selfish-ambitions or our own plans or goals. Although it is okay to make plans, our plans should never trump God’s plan, He knows what’s best for everyone and I’m glad He does… because sometimes I don’t have a clue, but He did leave us the Bible and Holy Spirit to help with any situation.

So people, whatever it is you are doing with the time our Father has given you, be mindful to let everything you do be for His GLORY. Until next time...

Love & Blessings xo