Gods plans in your planning

Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding

This morning I was on my way to work in the same direction I normally go, and earlier than I need to because I like to get there a bit before I start at 10am.  Having the space to prepare mentally for the day ahead is really important to me, so I usually do everything in the realm of my control to make sure I am ahead of time.

When I got to my tram stop I saw a tram already there but with no one on it and the driver was patiently directing the traffic around his tram. I accepted the situation and made my way to another tram stop a few minutes away. My trip to work would not be as direct as I planned and I would end up being later than expected. After getting on a connecting tram heading in my direction we were told by the driver that a truck had crashed and caused a power outage and that traffic would be busy. And it was!

I will be honest, I like to plan things, my time is important to me and knowing what’s next is comforting. I am not a huge fan of surprises, and there was a time when if something or someone interrupted my plans my anxiety levels would go through the roof! So I am a Christian who loves to be in control, who prefers to know what’s coming next and doesn’t like surprises. Am I the only one in that boat?

The longer trip to work gave me the opportunity to reflect on what’s happening in my life at the moment. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a new season, and all i know is..

• Change is inevitable
• There will be surprises
• God’s timing doesn’t fit in with my schedule
• Things might get uncomfortable
• I will not benefit from being anxious, and should pray about everything

All 5 of these things are part of the Christian journey, (I am sure you can come up with more) and if you are taking your faith walk seriously, and are intentional about following Christ, then you will know that it wont always make sense, especially while in the middle of change. We are told in the proverbs 3:5 to not lean on our own understanding and to trust in him with all of our hearts. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see why God would be asking this of us.

I want to encourage you as your brother in Christ. A person who does not like change, is often keen to know what’s next in advance but would rather be uncomfortable in doing what God has for me than running around in the dark without him,  to embrace the Proverbs 3:5 verse, especially when it comes to entering a new season. I heard an awesome quote recently that went something like “its better to be in Gods will out on the water with Christ than out of his will in the boat” So join me out on the waves where we may have no idea what will happened next, but we can be sure that we are being looked after.