Flying back from a weeklong trip to Brazil, my husband and I received an unexpected text. The message from the church’s financial secretary revealed that a certified letter from our county’s board of education had arrived. Having planted a church that met at a local high school, we knew the letter had something to do with our rental agreement. For more than a year, it had been the place our church family called home each Sunday. Our dismay grew when we received the contents of the letter—the board wasn’t going to renew our lease for the building past the end of the year, just 3 short months away.
Shocked, we hurriedly considered other venues, only to find ourselves further discouraged. We had planned for change and unpredictability. We had planned for the inconvenience of a shared facility. We had planned to leave behind all that had been familiar. But we hadn’t planned on this . . .
Plans are far more than wanderings of our imagination. They’re doors of hope to what we believe God would have us do. David knew the importance of giving our plans to God: “Commit everything you do to the Lord,” he wrote. “Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5). Instead of being overwhelmed by the change, it was important for us to “be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7).
Surrendering our plans to God doesn’t mean He will fulfill them the way we would like, but He does direct our “steps” and knows “every detail of [our] lives” (Psalm 37:23). When we trust Him in the midst of the unplanned, He takes the places of unexpected change and transforms them into opportunities for us to grow our faith. And He promises never to let us “fall” even as He leads us “by the hand” (Psalm 37:24).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 11:1-9
More:
Read Genesis 22:2-14 and consider how Abraham’s willingness to trust and obey opened the door for God’s provision.
Next:
How have recent circumstances impacted your relationship with God? When you find yourself struggling with doubt, how do you find renewed hope?
Sheridan Voysey on January 8, 2016 at 5:03 am
Thanks for this reminder of placing our plans in God’s hands, Regina. How did the story end? Were you able to find a suitable alternative venue?
Regina Franklin on January 15, 2016 at 7:56 pm
Dear Sheridan–true to His goodness, God has provided. As a blogger, you know the devotionals are written 11 months prior to their being published. When we were looking for a building to lease, we saw few options around us (especially as we live in a smaller community). Those that were in our price range were either in areas of town which were not as accessible or were contracted for retail only. When a member of our congregation approached my husband about leasing a building on a main thoroughfare through town, my husband readily responded that it was not within our price range, but he willingly agreed when the member asked to investigate the option. Long story short, we are leasing a building on the main strip through town for a third of the price the previous leasee paid. With that said, we were still stepping out in faith, as the building required extensive renovations. Our church congregation has made significant investments of their time and talent (and finances), with much of the renovation being completed through volunteer labor (our team will forever remember digging up 250 linear feet of concrete to have the plumbing relaid). Time and again, God has provided. We have two more years left on our lease and we have already negotiated a purchase price that is nothing short of miraculous. Now we are asking the Lord to make it possible for us to purchase the building. As the Lord brings us to mind, pray with us that God make the miraculous visible –we are seeing and believe we will continue to see the goodness of the Lord, not only in our building endeavors but in the living church, His people.
Gary Shultz on January 8, 2016 at 6:16 am
I suppose I would wonder like Sheridan what was the current result, and of course it may not be seen for some time. I think God allows these things into everyone’s life, a mountain in Moriah, the press toward faith and trust. A step in the details of life, a step in faith, a step in growth and praise. If we’re living we will need to keep stepping, higher ground I hope. Thanks Regina
Regina Franklin on January 15, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Hi Gary–thank you. Yes, we continue to step toward higher ground–please keep us in your prayers (see my response to Sheridan). Blessings!
gagirllive on January 8, 2016 at 9:28 am
Thank you for this encouragement, Regina. This particular Psalm has always been a favorite. It reminds me to trust in God’s power, His presence, and His wisdom. His unchanging nature secures me in an ever-changing world.
Regina Franklin on January 15, 2016 at 7:41 pm
Dear gagirllive–I love how you put this truth: “His unchanging nature secures me in an ever-changing world.” He is indeed our constant source of safety, no matter what the circumstances appear to be around us.