“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
Heaven filled with the laughter of God.
Wicked men plotted their evil. God saw their sinful hearts, and that made Him sad. He thwarted their every move, ensuring failure of their rebellion.
His enemies snatched and sneered, wearing themselves out with the basest of intentions. God allowed their anticipation, but He’d already planned their demise. They made plans, and God laughed.
Righteous men planned their good. God saw their sincere hearts, and that made Him smile. He appreciated their efforts, but He had something better in mind.
His people scampered and scurried, running themselves ragged with the best of intentions. God drew them into His peace, for He’d already worked out the details. They made plans, and God laughed.
Yet they wrung their hands in worry. They donned masks and gloves, protecting themselves from the Great Unknown.
Who carried the virus? Their father or brother, their neighbor or best friend, the cashier or delivery driver?
No place felt safe – not school or church or the dentist or the grocery store.
The Great Unknown engulfed not only day to day worries, but plans for the future. God’s children belabored every decision.
When was it safe to go back to church?
Were restaurants safe to feed their families?
Was curbside pickup any safer – or grocery stores for that matter?
Should they send their children back to school or consider homeschooling?
Should they reschedule their events or cancel altogether?
Should they make that financial decision or wait it out?
Should they proceed with moving into a new home or sit tight for now?
Should they take advantage of a zero percent auto loan or repair the old car?
Would they have a job a few months from now?
Was this a good time to start that new business they’d been planning?
Would one of their family get sick – or die – if they made the wrong decision?
The Great Unknown threatened to swallow them alive.
The weight of it burdened their steps and paralyzed their actions.
Underlying stress from each and every decision mounted in layers upon layers until they collapsed beneath the strain.
Some grew angry and lashed out.
Some grew tired and gave out.
Some grew depressed and opted out.
But once again, God had a better plan.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
Here’s my take on June 19, 2020. Side note -- it’s my mom’s 79th birthday, and my anniversary of 11 years of living in South Carolina. Happy birthday, Mom!
Today I had two important decisions to make.
The first regarded an expensive business opportunity. I didn’t have peace about it one way or the other, so I presented it to our board for a vote.
They voted the same way I would have. Decision made.
The second regarded a conference. The cost was affordable, yet I dreaded the time and energy it would require. When I went online to register, the aspect of the conference that made it a worthwhile investment had already been sold out. There was a waiting list – but would I get in?
God seemed to be giving me a sign. I didn’t have the time or energy for it this year. Decision made.
While it’s difficult to turn down opportunities, an open mind to God’s leading and others’ input makes decisions much easier.
As for the Great Unknown – when we get down to the facts, every single day is the great unknown.
At the beginning of 2020, we were making decisions based on how we believed the year would turn out.
Well, it didn’t turn out that way, did it?
So even when we THINK we know what’s coming, we never really do.
Every future minute of every single day is the Great Unknown.
We never know when a pandemic will sweep the globe.
Or violence will break out unexpectedly.
Or someone we love will die.
We never know when a government check will show up in our account.
Or a promotion will land in our lap.
Or the love of our life will lift our heart to new heights.
“All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.” Isaiah 28:29
We never know when the rapture will come and Jesus will appear in the clouds.
But until then, let’s take one day at a time. Let’s make the most of every day. And let’s trust God to guide our decisions and care for us.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11