This past Monday, for the first time in a long time, Kim and I went to “The City” (i.e., New York City). Our plan was to take the Water Taxi from Liberty State Park across the Hudson River to lower Manhattan. I thought taking the Water Taxi would be a fun, quick, and convenient way to get from New Jersey to New York. So that morning we drove to the place where we would catch the small ferry only to find out it wasn’t running because of the President’s Day holiday. So, there we were in New Jersey, at the river’s edge, with our destination within reach, yet feeling like it was so far away. My mind quickly went in a thousand directions. We had to find a different way to get across the river; we needed to make a fast change of plans.
Thankfully, I have a wife who can be a quick problem solver. Soon we were back in our car driving into Jersey City, headed for the PATH train. In about 15 minutes time, we had parked our car and were headed for the train. Within 30 minutes we had reached The City. The train may not have been as nice a ride across the river, but it was actually cheaper, quick, and put us right at our first destination, the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial.
As many of you know, I am a planner. And, like most planners, I like things to go according to the plan. When they don’t it can take me a bit to pivot, adjust, re-think through the plan, and come up with a new plan. When things don’t go according to plan, I can feel the anxiety begin to quickly build. It’s not that I want it to be like that for me, it’s just the way it is. Maybe some of you are the same—you too are thrown off when things don’t go according to the plan.
The Jewish people have a saying: “Man makes his plans; God laughs!” In other words, although we make our plans—laying out our vacations, trips to the city, work for the day, what we will do in retirement, etc., etc.—God is the only one who really knows what the future holds. After all, life is filled with all kinds of things that can quickly disrupt our plans—e.g. a delayed flight, a sudden illness, a turn in the weather, and so much more. We make our plans, but we never really know whether or not those plans will come to fruition; there’s always a chance that things are not going to go according to the plan.
In the book of Proverbs we read, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 – NIV) and, “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3) Or, as the Apostle James wrote, “…you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 5:15) In the end, the only plans that go according to plan 100% of the time are God’s plans.
Thus, we would be wise to always submit our plans to him, praying for his will to be done. And when things don’t go according to our plan, to look to him in faith and trust, believing that he is with us and yet in control of all things—and that in fact, he just might have an even better plan!
Have a great day!
- Pastor Tim Harris
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