What’s The Plan?

Romans 8:28       Jeremiah 29:11      Hebrews 13: 5 & 8

Life can be messy, busy, crazy, overfull, and even wonderful!  Strange thing is, it can be all these things – – – –  at the same time.  Can I hear a  – Mercy!  ???  It sure seems hard at times to buy into the fact that there is definitely a plan out there.  God really is sovereign & He most certainly knows what He’s doing.  It’s just that we get so focused on the problem(s) in front of us that we can’t see  there’s a bigger picture – a grander plan.  That’s where we have to trust – yep, simply trust.  But can it be that simple?

Current Circumstances – Future Outcome

When I feel like there seems to be no plan – when I can’t see how insignificant me can fit into a sovereign God’s plan – when I feel God couldn’t possibly use me – it’s time to go to God’s Word and make it a “throw back” day.   Let’s just see what kind of folks God used.

• Abraham – lies about Sarah being his wife, not once, but twice.  Takes matters into his own hands and creates a violent rivalry/hatred that is still going on.
• Issac, Rebekah, Esau & Jacob – such a dysfunctional family!  Jacob deceives, lies, wrestles with God………….and becomes Israel – has 12 sons.
• Rahab – Prostitute………..believed in the God of the Israelites, hid the spies, ended up in Jesus’ genealogy & mentioned in Matthew 1:5.
• Esther – Jewish girl taken captive.  King falls in love with her & she becomes  Queen. Risks her life to save her people – her plan works & she establishes the customs for Purim.
• Saul/Paul – As Saul, he kills Christians. Encounters Jesus & is radically changed – becomes one of the most significant preachers of the gospel.

Liars – Prostitute – Captive/Slave – Murderer………………these folk don’t sound holy nor would you or I write them into the grand plan.  And look at the disciples Jesus chose. They were some rough guys. Can you imagine the mouths on them before they got a clue as to what Jesus was all about? 

One last person…………from 2 Kings 5……………a sweet slave girl – a captive, working for Naaman,  captain of the army of the King of Aram.  Naaman was a leper. This seemingly insignificant girl connects Naaman with Elisha. Elisha tells Naaman to go wash in the Jordan river 7 times & be healed.  Naaman does it and is completely healed. Because………………. a little servant girl cared.

if God can use screw ups like I listed and a sweet little slave girl, can He use you – me?  Our circumstances can seem grim, the future too difficult, the dilemma beyond help, dreams dashed………………..but God.  God’s got this thing.  He is the Author of the Play – for sure. For those of us who love God & are called according to His purpose – He will work everything – every. little. thing. – for our good.  And God’s good – well,  it’s the best.  I am also reminded of Hebrews 13 – He promises to never leave us or forsake us………..and He is the same yesterday, today and forever……….this means I can trust Him – really trust Him.  I’m not alone.  Because He doesn’t change, all of His promises, every word from Him, will be accomplished.  He’s a God of redemption – a God of restoration.  We have to trust that God really does have a plan……………..and that it is good.  And isn’t it cool that He let’s us be a part of it?  We may not be listed in anyone’s book here on earth – but we are in God’s book because we are part of His plan – YOU are part of His plan.   Be encouraged dear one.                                Peace & Blessings.