Our Plans…

I love Google Reader.  Each morning, I read posts written by my dearest friends, people I admire and respect, but have never met and even complete strangers, who inspire me, encourage me, yet have never met me! 

Lots of Scotts is a fabulous blog with loads of insight!  She finds wisdom in everyday occurrences and has such a sweet relationship with the Lord that is evident in her life and posts.  Yesterday, she wrote about the plans we make for our lives and the disappointment that results when God has a different plan. 

I think, Keith and I are missing out on today’s joy and blessings, because our plans, dreams and desires are not our current reality.  A year ago, to the day, we discovered that we would be unable to return to our home, our life, our dream in Russia…at least for an undetermined period of time.  We are still waiting…but what for?!?!  God has provided us with an apartment, employment, education for both Gideon and Emme and is daily speaking to us and meeting all of our needs!!!  I am only an hour away from my family and 6 hours from Keith’s family.  We have a great Sunday School Class and are involved in several Bible Studies.  We have so many reasons to rejoice!!!  Sooo…what are we waiting for?

Lots of Scotts reminded me of several wonderful scriptures…

“Yesterday morning in Sunday School we were discussing Jerry Bridge's book, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. As we specifically considered all the Bible has to say about the Sovereignty of God, these two old favorites from Proverbs were mentioned.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans of a man's heart, but the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Such amazing truth, but it was the next passage that really struck me.

Consider what God has done; who can straighten what he has made crooked? Ecclesiastes 7:13

This passage implies that in His Sovereignty, God himself has made some things crooked. I thought of something we observed on the way to Young Life camp last weekend. As we drove up the mountain ridge, winding through the dense hardwood forest, I couldn't help but notice that some tree trunks were tall and straight---reaching directly up towards the heavens. Others, however, were twisted and gnarly. They were clearly the products of years of fighting for survival--reaching for the sun any which way they could find it. Yet, they were beautiful in their uniqueness. Could it be that this was their intended design?

Scripture makes it clear. God is completely sovereign, infinite in wisdom and perfect in love. He is a loving father--our creator--author of our life story. He is worthy of our trust.
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me" Psalm 138:8

Sometimes it may involve a crooked path.

The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why you brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I will go through the valley if You want me to
Now I'm not who I was when I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
I will go through the fire If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my own
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'll never go alone
-If You Want Me To, Ginny Owens”