When God’s Perfect Plan Trumps Our Good Plan

PLANS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE

It seems that we make a million decisions a day. Some are small and seem to have little consequence in our lives, like “Do I want to wear flats or heels today?” Sure, we may regret the heels, but as far as its affecting the outcome of the rest of our life, it really doesn’t matter much. The world will most probably not be affected by my plan to wear heels over flats.

PLANS THAT AFFECT OUR ENTIRE LIVES

Other decisions, though, can change the entire course of our lives. “Do I want to marry this man?” “Do I want to stay married to this man who has been unfaithful?” “Am I ready to be a parent…even though I am single?” “Should I take this job?” “Should I go to college?”

These decisions we ponder and consider them with great attention. We weigh the pros and cons. We place them on the balance scale of our life to make as complete and informed of a decision as possible. Then we make a decision and move forward  on the path we have chosen.

What happens though if God’s plans are different from ours? Do we consider things long enough to allow His input into our decision making?

GOD’S PLAN MIGHT NOT MAKE SENSE

In the earthly realm, God’s plan may not balance out quite as well as ours might. Let’s look at Joseph. He had a difficult decision to make when he found out that his betrothed, Mary, was with child…and it wasn’t his child she was carrying. This circumstance just doesn’t balance well at all!

“Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”, Matthew 1:19-20, NLT

“When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.“, Matthew 1:24,NLT

Joseph weighed things out and even made an honorable decision based on his own knowledge, conviction, and ability. He was going to divorce Mary quietly instead of persecuting her and having her punished. He was making a Godly decision–but it wasn’t God’s plan. God had a perfect plan for him in this circumstance. It wasn’t the easy plan, or the logical plan–but it was the perfect plan.

RELEASING OUR PLAN TO FOLLOW GOD’S

Joseph was open to an alternate plan that God had for his life. It didn’t balance well, and it definitely was not comfortable…but he was a man who listened to God and chose God’s perfect plan over his own good plan.

Do you have the courage to embrace God’s PERFECT plan over your own GOOD plan?

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In many ways we have the same struggle Joseph did. We are faced with circumstances beyond our control and make a good plan based on our limited knowledge, understanding, and ability. God, however, may have a different plan for us. The plan may not be easy. It may not make logical sense. It is possibly lined with pain and sorrow–yet it is His PERFECT plan to bring about a HIGHER purpose.

“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.”, Proverbs 16:1, NLT

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”, Proverbs 16:9, NLT

I want to encourage you today to pause. Allow God to speak to you in your circumstances today. Even though your plan may be a GOOD plan, doesn’t mean it’s God’s PERFECT plan. He may be arranging things to change the world through your unbalanced circumstances.