His plan, His time
I’m helping Bobby with planning this year’s annual banquet thrown for all the students but in honor of the graduating seniors. It’s one of our bigger events and everyone looks forward to it each year. The students dress up and we have a nice dinner with entertainment and it’s a special time for the seniors. Saying all of that sounds quite simple, but there is more to putting on this night than meets the eye. Being the wife of the youth director I play a big part in coming up with ideas and getting people together to help bring them to pass. This year I have not had quite as much help as I might need so some of my plans have gone by the wayside and today I began to stress about it. A site that I frequent has a “Verse of the Day” box and I almost couldn’t believe that today’s verse was Proverbs 16:9
This verse may not be referring to my banquet but it did show me that no matter the plans I think I need to make I should always be surrendered to where the Lord will take me, sensitive to His direction of my steps. With this in mind and a few conversations of other options for the event I have rested on the issues, knowing that there are such greater and deeper matters in life.
Tonight my older sister Alicia came over for dinner. We watched a show and had a long conversation about faith, family and life. She gave me this beautiful ragtime quilt that she made and assured me that I could take on such a creative endeavor myself. We shall see. I noticed that much of our conversation steers in the direction of whether or not the Lord has planned for something to happen or if He will direct certain things to take place. I find my thoughts on this topic often with situations of controversy, disunity and for a nice way to put it…room to grow in all areas in my life. Many people I know and love are not believers. I don’t always say the right thing. I’m not always an example of godliness. Many times I feel discouraged or anxious in these things and I begin to wonder how God will work His will. I wonder if all of those people will believe before they die or not. I wonder if He will want us to move or stay here for ten years. I’m not even sure how tomorrow will unfold!
All of time is in God’s hands, the past when He was with Abraham, yesterday, an hour ago and He is already in tomorrow. Time is under His rule and all of time transpires in and according to His will. It is not for us to plot out our hours according to our plans and goals. He wants us to walk surrendered and obedient step by step along the path He sets before us. This isn’t saying that we don’t make some plans, certainly we discipline ourselves to wake up, eat meals, sleep and make the most of the time given to us. We should never just sit back and passively be dragged through life. We need to realize constantly that our time belongs to Him and He has a plan in it. Am I acting out a part in it by following obediently on the path He sets before me? Or am I too caught up in my dreams, desires and plans to even squeeze God into my schedule of tomorrows?
Solomon wrote:
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
May 20th, 2005 at 3:56 am
find it refreshing that even my bad plans and feeble attempts won’t mess with His will.
Isn’t that wonderful when it happens? Sometimes we can be so self-absorbed even in our bad times.
Our young people are having a similar kind of event as what your young people are having. My daughter gets to go to it this year.
May 20th, 2005 at 2:00 pm
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
How convicting – and encouraging at the same time!
Knowing that God really is in control – if only I would set my eyes on Him – and leave them there.
So much is on my mind and heart lately – but He has encouraged me – because I do keep coming back to His word. I keep coming back to Him.
I don’t fear the outcome as much as the circumstances – but even then – I am growing in the patience I need to be His bride.
Oh – that He would come back today! But again, in His time.
Thank you Christa – I know I haven’t commented much, but I have been reading, and God has used you in my life. Thanks so much!
~Jen
May 20th, 2005 at 2:38 pm
Jen-
Thanks for your comment. When you said, “If only I would set my eyes on Him – and leave them there” I know exactly what you mean! We strive for consistency perseverance in keeping our eyes fixed on Him. Like Kim said, we are so self-absorbed! We are also easily distracted. My prayer has become for Him to be my vision. Thanks for reading, Jen, it’s encouraging to know that others have this passion for Him.
-Christa
May 24th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
Christa, wait until you see the tie I picked out for the bankquet, it’s very ‘Drew Dominguez’.