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| The Plans I Have... |
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What is it? What is it that you're wrestling with: that crossroads you're at, that choice you need to make? You've given it over to God and you're tired of waiting for an answer, or you're just not getting a clear picture of what it is you're supposed to do.
Maybe you need to wait some more… The author John Piper calls impatience "unbelief". If you really believed that God had the best plan, you wouldn't be impatient with His timing. If God has revealed to you what He wants you to do, but has told you to wait a little longer, then your patience is your faith. (And your faith is chalked up as righteousness.) Think "Abraham and Sarah" here: they were told by God what His plan was for them, but they had to wait a long time for it to happen. Same with Noah and the flood. God says, "Here's my plan. Prepare for it; believe in it. Now wait."
Maybe you've said you're waiting on God, but in your mind you're making your own contingency plans. "Well," you think, "if I do this and it doesn't work out like I want it to, I'll make sure to leave this door over here open so that I can go with "Plan B." What do you suppose Noah's contingency plan was? That's right; he didn't have one. We see no record of him trying to stay in the good graces of the people around him by saying things like, "Yeah, I know this seems crazy, folks, and maybe it is. If so, I'll be back to claim my house and land, so you guys keep an eye on things for me, will ya?" No contingency plan; just a walk of faith into the unknown.
Maybe God has told you what to do, but you're trying to apply common sense to it and it's not measuring up. You're wondering, "Why does it seem like God has told me to do this, when that over there looks like the more logical choice?" What if Abraham had applied common sense to God's plan for him to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice? Did it make sense to take the son that God had promised Abraham, the son that he had patiently waited for all those years, the son that was the heir of the covenant, and offer him up as a sacrifice? Of course not, but let's face it, a lot of what is in the Bible doesn't seem logical to our human minds. That's because common sense was given to us as a gift to use down in this world, not to discern the supernatural touch of God. Common sense tells me it's wise to lock my car when I'm parking in a sketchy neighborhood. It's wisdom given and acquired to make life down here easier, but it's not spiritual wisdom or understanding of the ways of God. If we're looking at God's plans through the filter of earthly common sense, then we're missing the big picture that He wants to reveal to us, the possibilities that are only visible when we see with the eyes of an omnipotent God.
Maybe you know you've heard from God, but you're hesitant to walk the path that He has put before you. Maybe it doesn't look like you thought it would, and you're not happy with how it differs from what you envisioned. Or perhaps it's just that it's so scary, requiring a faith that you don't know if you have. Does God's plan look foolish, and what holds you back is what others will think?
All these things can be overcome with a right heart and a leap of faith. Ask God for more patience and He'll give it to you, even if it means asking Him over and over again to get you through the waiting time. Let go of your contingency plan, and place your trust in His perfect plan that needs no "backup". If what others think is holding you back, repent from putting them in front of God and get on with it. If you haven't accepted God's plan because it doesn't look like you want it to, ask Him to forgive you for wanting things your way, and be obedient to His version and His vision.
Are you afraid, afraid of the unknown or afraid that you might be making a mistake? Remember, God is bigger than any mistakes we might make, and He promises to make all things work together for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. There's your safety net, if you want it.
Today Tony and I have officially started our own business. The forms have been filled out, the business cards have been ordered and the work has already begun.
We have wanted Tony to be self-employed ever since we got married, but have had wait 25 years to see it actually happen. I haven't always been patient in the waiting. Over the years I've had times of disillusionment where I gave up thinking it would ever come about, long seasons of frustration and impatience.
In my mind I pictured a business where Tony would be able to pursue one of his passions or hobbies. I had contingency plans worked out. I racked my brain for ways that I could get the ball rolling, make it happen. And somewhere along the line, I put the whole thing aside and said, "Whatever, God. If you want it to be, then You'll have to do it. I'm done." I wasn't giving up on the idea so much as giving it over to Him, where it belonged in the first place.
In recent months the idea of a painting business has come up. Tony has been doing some painting projects on the side, and I've helped him with some of them, but the idea of a painting business seemed farfetched. In the first place, there are lots of painters already in town. Secondly, I wasn't really looking to run a business with Tony. Thirdly, at 54 and 45, we're kinda old to be starting something that requires so much physical labor. Common sense and personal preferences would steer us clear from it; God, however, was slowly leading us to it.
Without going into all the details, God started opening doors and telling us to walk through them. At times we've hesitated, even up until yesterday. I was actually going to file all the legal business paperwork yesterday afternoon, when I got a call from Tony telling me that the paint sprayer wouldn't shut off and his work truck wouldn't start. He was wondering if this was some kind of a "sign", warning us to stop. On my way to the job site with the battery charger and jumper cables, I prayed. "God?" That's all I said, and all He replied was "Keep going."
So we are. |
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Kathy |
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June 14, 2007 at 3:40pm |
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| Congratulations, Jen, and all the best to you and Tony in this new endeavor! Hey, if you want a free vacation in NC, I'll trade my spare bed and bath, and mountain/coast/piedmont tour guide services for painting! :) |
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| Congratulations Jen! Very exciting.. I know just the feeling! :) Appreciate the reminder that yes, God is our true safety net. Let us trust in the plans He has for us. |
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Jen |
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June 14, 2007 at 7:43pm |
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Thanks, Kathy! Uhh, does what needs to be painted look anything like your deck? :-) !!! You never know; I may come knocking on your door someday, paintbrush in hand! It is exciting, Carol! Okay, painting isn't all that exciting, but it's exciting to be doing what He has put together. I love that part! |
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Kathy |
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June 14, 2007 at 7:48pm |
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| lol - I don't think so, but then again, I didn't realize the deck was so bad either! NC's a great vacation spot! :) |
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| Jen, you are right...it doesn't matter what the job is, what is important is that you are following Him...just watch and see what the Lord will do.... |
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Jen |
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June 15, 2007 at 7:21am |
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| That's exactly what I'm doing with this, dc. :-) I've got a curiosity and excitement about what it is He's going to do with all this... |
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Denise |
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June 15, 2007 at 1:47pm |
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| Wish you both the best. Congratulations!! |
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Jen |
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June 15, 2007 at 4:59pm |
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| Thanks, CBG and Denise! The workweek is finished and tonight I'm going to stay home and... paint! (I've got an accent wall and a gallon of "sweet tomato" paint that are going to meet up.) |
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Jen |
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June 16, 2007 at 11:18am |
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| Kathy - Montana's a great vacation spot, too! Nine months of winter and three months of rough sledding! |
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