My wife and I had prayed. We had sought God. We had sought godly counsel. Now we presented our plans to a group of people who would help us realize a vision for ministry or shut it down. They chose the latter.
We’ve all felt the pain of having plans dashed and dreams deferred. The confusion and disillusionment that follows can be overwhelming. Where’s God in all of this? What are His plans for us?
God has a perfect path that He continues to blaze in this world. His plans can’t be shut down. “It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided,” God spoke through Isaiah (14:24). In the New Testament, Peter stated, “God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed” (Acts 2:23).
These verses reveal that God’s perfect path—a path that once led Jesus to the cross—lies before us. And though He allows His creatures to choose or reject Him (Deuteronomy 30:15-16; John 14:15-17), God will arrange things so that His “prearranged plan” will come to fruition.
These truths can be a great encouragement to us when we feel that the path we’re on has taken a wrong turn. Peter pulls from Psalm 16 as He proclaims, “I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me” (Acts 2:25). My God is still with me even when the path is confusing. “My body rests in hope” (v.26). My hope is in God and not my circumstances. “You have shown me the way” (v.28). God will reveal His perfect path to me.
Several years after our ministry plans were shelved, the very thing we had hoped and prayed for became a reality! But it happened in God’s perfect timing and at just the right place along His perfect path.
More:
• Psalm 33:11
• Proverbs 16:9
• 1 Corinthians 1:25
Next:
What “bend” in life’s path has caused you to become confused or frustrated? How will you seek God’s perfect path?
Sasoldier1960 on February 19, 2010 at 6:16 am
I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning not too long ago. I was worrying about the time because we were supposed to meet my parents for lunch after church. The more I checked the time the more that the pianist played and the longer the service continued. Finally it came to me, in God’s time, I get it Lord it is all in Your time. A few minutes later the service ended and we were on our way and when I got to the place to meet my parents the timing couldn’t have been better. God showed me that all things will happen in His time and that He does have my life planned to the smallest detail, praise God!
bethanyF on February 19, 2010 at 8:45 am
I “God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed” This verse is very powerful and touches my heart today. I bought a new car a week ago and am having back problems adjusting to the new seats. I feel like I may have made a very hasty decision and should have kept my old car. I realize that God knew that I was going to get him and may I give him the praise and glory through it all. I pray that I may have faith in his plans. God knows what we are all going through. Blessed be his name.
bethanyF on February 19, 2010 at 8:47 am
I realize that God knew that I was going to get “IT”, AND MAY I give Him the praise and GLory through it all.
songhee8 on February 19, 2010 at 10:14 am
I have a question:
Is this only for believers that recognize God as the director in our lives? What about those that don’t believe? Does God have plans for them to recognize Him?
tom felten on February 19, 2010 at 10:35 am
Good question! Check out this online booklet titled What about those who have never heard?, I think you’ll find it helpful!
yapdates on February 19, 2010 at 3:24 pm
This is a tough issue. When God’s people dream of doing things for God, and the dreams get dashed, what should they make of it?
I have never really gotten over this question. It remains a mystery. While disappointment and sometimes despair do dampen our spiritual mood, it is in moments like this, we are forced to reflect on where our faith is on.
Question: Is it is MY ministry, or is it trusting God to work out HIS ministry?
God is not poor. Let us not make Him out to be a miserly God who takes pleasure in testing His people. Neither should we use God’s Name so liberally that we stick God’s name as a authoritative label in a vain attempt to prop up our own egos. Most mysteriously, I marvel at how Paul is able to say:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:12)
May the Lord grant us a faith that never wavers according to circumstances, but steadfast always in Christ.
conrade
Gary4orphans on February 19, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I’m getting to this much later than normal but if it isn’t too late to weigh in, regarding Songhee8’s question I have a personal observation. I am now 59, I was 39 when God got through to me. He HAD a plan for me. I wasn’t going to listen to that plan but God BROKE through in His timing. The Plan for me to come to faith and to serve him in full time ministry was there all along, I just didn’t know it until it was time for me to know it. PRIOR to coming to the Lord, I was a career military officer who had a few close calls. Without God’s plan I would have slipped into the WRONG side of eternity. He kept me alive and safe knowing I would eventually figure it out and surrender to him. So I can “testify” that THIS (former) unbeliever was following God’s plan – I just didn’t know I was.
chona2worship on February 23, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Whenever I encounter some challenges in my life ,and some of these challenges seemed to be failures in life ,like the path has ended for me I always think of that phrase “it’s just a bend in the road,”
There are times that you wanted to raise your hand and say “i give up.” or “I quit” then you will realize,it is really not the end it’s just a bend in the road.
tom felten on February 19, 2010 at 8:00 am
Charlie, thanks for sharing your experience. May God continue to give you hope as you trust in Him!