Is there a Plan B?
When you know what you have been made for, is there a plan B for a single day, year, or a lifetime?
One of the claims of my book is that our identity gives us purpose. Because we are sons of God, we are redeemed, and thus returned, to a complete relationship with Him again. We receive back the intimate, day-to-day interaction with the Father that Adam and Eve had in Eden.
This reality should mean something for our view of decisions and circumstances in our life, and convince us that the goal of life is developing, or maturing, this connection with our Father. Not to insure that our plans are always followed.
There are a number of Scriptures that demonstrate the truth that our plans and our reasoning don’t always produce the best outcome.
“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NASB95)
“There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 16:25 HCSB)
“For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 HCSB)
Sometimes, the wisdom of God intervenes to change human plans.
“They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia.” (Acts 16:6 HCSB)
Sometimes, the enemy tries to delay the plan of God to intervenes on behalf of human prayers.
An angel was withstood and hindered from going to help Daniel.
“Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.” (Daniel 10:12-13 HCSB)
So either through either spiritual opposition, or Holy Spirit direction, or our own lack of seeing the greater picture and making a decision that seems right, our plans are altered.
Example from a Story
In my work, I have attended an October trade show for 18 years. Due to changes in my responsibilities, I was not going this year.
This “change” freed me to agree to go with 3 friends on a weekend backpacking trip. We planned to fish along a scenic river, and hike light trail miles compared to previous trips. Visions of “A River Runs Through It” were in mind. Only halfway kidding. (An aside-few very few fish were seen, none reeled in. Sometimes expectations must be stated lightly. My friends said the views and campsites made up for it)
I had been planning for weeks. Getting my food and gear together, doing some training miles to prep my 50+ year old body.
But unexpectedly, my dad went into the hospital with pneumonia and other complications and needed my help.
The weekend was supposed to be about getting away from the busyness of life, being out in God‘s world and slowing down.
Instead, I was quickly trying to assess the health care decisions made by emergency room doctors and attend to my mom’s needs. To make sure the right things were done.
One day became four, and I cancelled the hiking trip.
Once I drove my parents back home, he improved quickly. Just before we started the long drive, I felt the Spirit say “all is well.”
And so once they were settled at home, I got to hike the next day. To get the exercise, and time outside to enjoy the Fall color, and the refreshment of my spirit I always get from it.
About halfway through it, I began slowing down. Taking pictures of the sun hitting the perfectly colored leaves. Worship rose in my spirit. I felt a nudge from the Spirit reminding me of God’s love for me, and my family. I stopped, let the sun hit my face, and raised my arms to heaven. I did it to say, thank you Father for your many blessings, among them, this beautiful earth you made to provide our needs, and which you made us ruler over.
He flooded into places inside me, and restored me to full joy in that moment in the woods. Just as David in Psalm 23 says that the Shepherd does. I even walked by the still waters.
We all need time to reconnect to him and have the tangible be reminder of His great plan for our presence here. This is my Father’s world. It was formed by the Trinity before man was created. Man was made to rule and manage the world He created. Until the time we are once again complete, as Revelation 21 and 22 describe. A sinless life in His glorious presence, unhindered by the fallenness of our times.
What does this have to do with plan B’s?
In Jeremiah 29:11, God says to Israel, “I know the plans I have for you,” my people. Plans to prosper us not harm.
He says in the New Covenant that He “works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purposes.” (Romans 8:28)
The change in my plans was not a plan B. I was where I was supposed to be.
God showed me He could refresh me at another time and way. That’s not second best. That is being patient and yielding to His higher ways. He is one who satisfies the desire of my heart as we make Him our delight (Psalm 37:3-4)
A Reminder of the World Needs Sons
One more thought on change in plans. It is It is also knowing that while all things are subject to Him, at this time we don’t see all things subject to Him.
At this point in history, our bodies, and all creation, are subject to the fallen condition of the world. Bodies weaken and need help.
One day, when we return to the Eden condition of the new heaven and earth, we won’t deal with weakness in body. We will be fully able to enjoy what He has prepared for us, and enjoy Him forever.
Our job now:
Romans 8:18-23 says creation waits for the manifest sons of God to take their place in its redemption.
Romans 12:2 says to renew the mind so we know His will.
His will in my situation was to honor my father and my mother, to see him restored to daily function. And when that was underway, to take note of the beauty of His creation that I may know Him as King and Creator of all.
That is plan “A”. To put God in the rightful place in my thinking and devotion. To seek Him first, and have all the rest added to me (Matthew 6:33)
Conclusion:
So don’t fall into believing there is a plan B! Even when we plan our way, the Lord directs our steps, with His perfect will for His redeemed as the goal.
It may delay, or have to weather the assault of the enemy against it, but His Will is sure for those He calls. That’s the nature of our covenant with Him. We were Made for Eden!
