I have a plan for you… God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
Proverbs 14:12

The picture with this blog features my house framer, Daniel, as he scans the blueprints of our new house.  He is trying to determine exactly how the joists and pony walls are to be laid out.

The plans from my architect, John, are carefully drawn and detailed.  He and his assistant, Jennifer, as well as a firm of engineers, have poured their expertise into those pages and pages of plans.  So presumably, we might end up with a great house.

Which brings us to our spiritual lesson for the day.  Do you have a carefully drawn out plan for your life?  Have you poured time and energy and education and hard work into just what you think the outcome for your life should be?

There is an old saying, “If you want to see God laugh, just tell Him your plans.”  You see, there is a way that seems right to a man (the perfect plans and expectations for a “successful” life), but its end is death.  Unless you commit your ways to the Lord, to His direction and counsel, you are headed toward nothing but… death.

All of the things that we think life should be about (financial success, fun, money, and especially me, me, me), make a terrible plan.  But God’s way, the Way of Jesus, the Way of mercy, forgiveness, giving, serving, the Way of the Cross, is all part of His plan. This plan is for good, not evil, and gives you a future and a hope.

Sometimes we have difficulty “reading” God’s plan for our life.  Unlike my framer, you and I can’t see every page of the life God has planned for you.  But you and I can see a vision of the finished plan, the plans for a new heavens and a new earth, a plan for God’s resurrected people in perfect harmony with Him and with one another.  And in those confusing places, when it seems that “this” (suffering, pain,  grief) cannot be part of God’s Master Plan, keep your eyes focused on the Architect of our plans, the One who created and redeemed you and me, and knows how every detail of your life fits perfectly in the good plan for your life.

Father, forgive me when I think I know what is best for me, when I forget to listen to Your guidance and counsel.  Thank you that you have a great plan for my life.  In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Text and Photo Copyright Steve Nickodemus