Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
New International Version
I’m not going to lie, waiting is hard. The way my brain works, I want a plan, a schedule, and I want to be prepared. Unfortunately, that’s not really how faith works. I’m sure many of you can relate to me in my frustration sometimes when life doesn’t give me all the answers when I want them.
The thing to remember, though, is that God does know the answers.
Recently, something that I have really wanted a game plan for is work. I have wanted a job for years. When I was younger, I had two jobs and loved it. However, getting a job hasn’t been easy for me for the past three years. Nothing was working out. I would apply for jobs and never hear back.
I was frustrated because I enjoy working and it’s a part of what helps me feel useful. However, as we all know, doing something for a feeling is never a good reason. Despite that, I still applied for at least two jobs each year, hoping something would happen. Nothing.
However, God revealed to me why I couldn’t get a job a week ago. He had better plans that would involve preparing me for my future rather than just busy work to make me feel useful. I was offered an internship (which obviously I accepted) to help within a ministry.
This was unexpected and overwhelming for me. Two of my deepest desires collided into one moment; a job and ministry. God has called me into full time ministry. However, I can’t do that until I graduate from college. I assumed that meant I couldn’t start working within ministry beyond helping on the worship team and prepping for my father’s church service. Yeah, I know, there I go limiting God again.
See, I planned to start working within my calling in the timing that I felt was right. But God knew when the right time was and made the way for me. There are so many things happening in my life that are so amazing and wonderful. Even small things that others would ignore have been answered prayers and miracles within my life. The thing that makes them so beautiful is God’s plan prevailing.
Are you understanding what I’m getting at here? When I’m done trying to make my schedule and my time-line and my this and that work, God can reveal His excellent plan and timing. Then, when I step into that, I get to experience (and sometimes finally notice what He’s already doing) His blessings and miracles that come along with it.
Don’t get me wrong, I still am a horribly awful planner and scheduler. However, though it can step on God’s plans sometimes, that doesn’t mean it is completely wrong. He’s given me this skill to work within His plan. If I decide to stop making my own plan, I can then apply my planning, scheduling, and skills of the like to what God has and use it for His glory.
Basically, when I’m done trying to be boss of God, He teaches me how to use my skills and quirks to benefit His Kingdom. It’s the same for any skills. Dancing, song writing, graph making, anything! If it is no longer used to make you the ruler, it is God’s tool for getting His plan done.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17
New International Version
Whatever you do, do it for the glory of the Lord by letting His plan prevail. Stop trying to be your King. Admit it, you don’t know everything, and honestly, there are so many things you don’t understand and can’t do anything about. So, give yourself a break and let God do His thing! When you step back and let His plan be your plan, you’ll see your skills and calling all fall into place finally.
