“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
These past few weeks have been filled with twists and turns. It has seemed as though any plans in going forward have changed with every day, and not just a little change here and there, but one plan being completely done away with so that another may take root. I can’t even tell you the number of times that I have had to call a friend to tell them that everything has shifted since we had last talked or that I’ve said something similar to, “I am so glad we couldn’t talk yesterday because everything that I would have told you has completely changed.” It has happened enough to cause me to hesitate in sharing the new plan with anyone outside of my immediate family… and even within my family when it comes to changes that may impact our holiday plans.
Have you experienced a time like this? A time when it feels like the winds are changing directions every single day? A time when you begin to question which way to walk when your feet hit the ground in the morning?
These days, weeks, and months can be hard, but in my experience, these have also been times of great and purposeful growth and this time has been no different.
It is in these times that I am drawn into a more intimate space with the Lord. A season when I talk more, but I also make myself available to listen more. A time when I realize that sharing my plans with friends is not nearly as important as surrendering them to the Lord. A time when I am brought to realize my lack of trust in the Lord and more than anything, my lack of trust in His ways and His plans above those of my own. These seasons can be tough. It’s like a friend pointing out your character flaws. It’s hard to hear or see, but deep down you know that it is coming through pure and good intentions. You know that it is coming from a place of wanting to help you be a better you and in the case of God, it is coming from a place to move you closer yet to fulfilling the potential that He has created in you. The potential that He sees every time that He looks at you.
With changes coming my way in what seemed like every day, I was an easy target for doubt. “God, did I hear you correctly?” “Did I make a wrong turn?” “Did I make that choice out of my own desire?” “I am off of the path that you paved for me?” “Yes? How far off?” “How do I get back on?” The list could go on and on. How easy it can be to get wrapped into the snowball on the downhill slope of doubt!
A travel nursing contract cancelled? I’m heading to a new spot on the map? Another change?
With each series of plans that came and went, the questions increased and the snowball picked up speed on its descent. Yet even while I felt like I was spinning around and around, not only with the accumulations of doubt, but in the changes alone, I knew deep down that I was being guided by the Holy Spirit. I knew that I was walking with the Lord and in the midst of my snow day, I was reminded that I cannot mess up the plans of the Lord and furthermore, that the end of the story has already been written! My turning left or turning right will not change the eternal destiny that was secured on the day that I claimed Jesus as Lord of my life.
As I began to re-grasp these truths, the changes turned from weariness to adventure. Though the world tells us to have our lives ‘figured out’, to make plans and stick to them, or leads us to believe that constant change is a sign of weakness or instability … God says “follow me.”
This week I have been reminded that following God doesn’t always look neat and tidy. It doesn’t look like a beautifully laid out, picture perfect plan for your life…or at least not from our perspective. It doesn’t fit into the ways of the world.
In fact, a few months ago, when I was surrounded by a body of believers, I grew so excited in listening to every life story of these people that were walking in obedience to God. Why? Not because they had checked every box on the American dream list nor because they were given one initiative and the blue prints to make it happen. No. I was energized by their stories because not a single one of them made a straight line. Every story was filled with twists and turns. Every story was filled with doors shutting and plans changing, not only once or twice, but constantly.
Contract cancelled? No problem. New spot on the map? Even better! The changing of plans is not a sign of instability, immaturity, or irresponsibility as the world can lead you to believe or the snowball of doubt can roll you into thinking. Plans changing can be a sign of following the Lord in obedience. Plans changing are a sign of surrender, trust, and open ears. Oh how much more enjoyable are the changes when I can see them as exciting rather than exhausting!
A few days ago I found myself loading into a shuttle from my car to the airport. This was not a well planned out trip, nor did it happen much in advance as you can imagine. I scrambled to find a place to park my car for a few weeks, purchased an airline ticket, and packed my bags… my plans going forward only loosely laid out. The man operating the shuttle assisted me with my suitcase and questioned, “Is this thing full of books?” Little did he know that I was packing for the multitude of possibilities that could lie ahead…and yes, it did contain a book or two.
This small comment sparked a conversation between myself and the only other passenger on the shuttle. We began talking about our upcoming trips, which led into a little bit of the basics as to who we were, what we did and where we were from (that’s always a fun question to answer), and as one thing led to another, we began sharing pieces and parts about our faith. This man was a Brother in Christ. Two hours later, I walked away from the table at which we continued in our conversation over coffee completely uplifted. Yes, I was delighted to have met a new Brother in Christ. Yes, I excited in hearing about his journey with Christ and where it has led him thus far. Yes, I was so joyous in hearing about these growing ministries that he has been involved in. And yes, I enjoyed the opportunity to share pieces and parts about my journey too. But even more overwhelming than any of those things, I was energized in knowing that we had experienced a divine appointment. I was comforted by the arms of Christ in knowing that even in the midst of twists and turns, questions and doubts, and one change after another, I was exactly where He would have me to be that morning in the airport.
My scramble to find a place to leave my car and my booking of the flight that would have me to be on that specific shuttle the other morning, was not a sporadically thrown together trip for the Lord. It was planned with purpose and intentionality. Every detail had been handled with great care and unfailing love.
Friends. It is up to us. We get to decide if we walk out of every twist or turn exhausted or excited. We get to decide if we want to be rolled up in the snowball of doubt or rooted in the truth of God’s Word. We get to decide if we want to acknowledge the little confirmations that the Lord places throughout our paths, such as my meeting with the man in the airport, or if we want to walk straight past them, allowing ourselves to believe that this life is according to our own plans and our own ways. We get to decide to follow Christ and we get to decide whether or not to embrace an adventure in obedience to the Lord.
Wherever you may be and whatever changes you may be facing today, I want to encourage you to allow those changes to pull you into that intimate space with the Lord, rather then pushing you away. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. Depend on Him. Surrender your plans to Him. Trust in Him. Know that His ways are better and His thoughts higher. Know that He has detailed your days with care and love. Pray today, that you would be made aware of those little blessing that lie in your path going forward; those little blessings that confirm you are exactly where He would have you to be today.
