Plans Like None Other

Every summer my work looked pretty much the same. As a university professor and part-time administrator my May meant putting away the curriculum, reflecting on courses that went well (or not) and why, and assessing research of professors at my school.

By June I am in full swing with my own projects: writing, reading, preparing presentations and revising lectures. Each day I squirrel away in my office on the edge of campus overlooking a green space and a little lake. Picturesque. Quiet. Predictable.

But one summer changed everything.

In 2013, a surgeon declared, “Your wife needs total jaw joint replacement and it will require living in Toronto for eight weeks.” Eight weeks? Toronto? But I have plans of my own here in British Columbia! At first I reeled because surgery may have been in January, March or September - terrible times for my school year. But then God gave the gift of a May surgery date, an ideal time for the two-month ordeal. And my boss blessed me, saying, “Go support your wife.”

I served my wife as nurse, cook, housekeeper, driver, pharmacist and trainer. I read little academically, and wrote even less. But when it was all done my wife and I were tight, blessed, on track. Articles and talks could wait; being Jesus to my best friend just fit.

So often we see changes to our plans as roadblocks not trailheads. Yet God has unexpected paths for us that still accomplish his purposes.  Do you have plans right now that seem to be going awry? Might the change be an opportunity to find God’s will to a different good place?

Dear God, so often I make plans that I believe square with yours, and then obstacles appear. Help me see your way amidst the challenges, and be my guide on the new path. Amen.

Throughout the Day: Practice prayerful discernment in your decisions. Ask God questions like, God, is there a person you want me to bless today? Father, what do you want me understand more deeply about you and your character? What do you want me to pay attention to that I may have been ignoring?

Additional Resource: Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life is a great book that may help you.