In 1915, Dr. Frank Laubach’s church commissioned him to serve as a missionary in Manila, Philippines, and as a professor at Union Theological Seminary (Manila). When he and another man were being considered for the office of seminary president, a vote was held to determine which candidate would win. Dr. Laubach did what he thought honorable; he voted for his opponent.Consequently, he lost the election by one vote—his own. He became disappointed, depressed, and even questioned God. Yet God used that incident to redirect his life. Eventually, Dr. Laubach developed a literacy program that taught an estimated 60 million people to read.
Sometimes our good plans for our lives and for God’s kingdom don’t come to pass. They don’t turn out to be His perfect plans (Isaiah 55:8). It’s easy to become discouraged and depressed in our disappointment, and we can even become angry with God.
Now we shouldn’t try to deny our feelings. Like the psalmists, we’re free to be honest with God—to lament and to rage if needed. Let’s face it—pruning can be painful.
Still, by the work of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit, God reveals that He’s for us. He desires that all of His children flourish. He’s the God of hope who always seeks our best—providing what it means for us to truly flourish even when we can’t see it (saiah 55:9).
Our Father is far more generous than we can ever imagine. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Do we believe this is true? It makes all the difference in the world. For as we trust in God, we find that His plans are always best.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 5:1-30
More:
Read Romans 8:31 and consider what it says about why we should always trust in God’s perfect plans.
Next:
What do you really believe about God’s plans for you? How can you lay your plans before Him and submit to His ways today?
Gary Shultz on June 1, 2015 at 6:42 am
Ah yes, you hit a huge nerve, dashed expectations. Sometimes reveling anger, we didn’t get our way and we are turned in a different direction. Sometimes sadness, as things begin to look very bleak. However, as Dr. Laubach found the very point you make, God will work out His will. We should be very grateful for that! Thanks
Tom Felten on June 1, 2015 at 9:32 am
Marlena, praise God for His wisdom and sovereignty. So many times I’ve wondered why certain dreams or plans didn’t come to fulfillment, only to view later how God did something far greater than I could have imagined in the situations. Praise Him!
godlove on June 1, 2015 at 11:21 am
As a matter of fact, that is faith: to put our complete trust in our Almighty Father, firmly believing that He knows best what is best for us, regardless of what we might think from our lowly human perspective. If only we will let everything into His hands and accept with open arms that His Will and only His Divine Will be done in our lives. Thanks for this very important reminder.