This time of year, Facebook memes and comments seem to be about goal setting. I guess that is a good thing, but frankly, my focus has changed.
Over the years I seem to keep quoting, “the best-laid plans of mice and men.” Whatever I plan seems to not really happen. Financial, health, and life situations slap me in the face like a discarded rake hidden in the grass I accidentally step on.
Instead of “planning” my life for the upcoming year, I have learned to hand it over to God and accept His plan. Somehow, even though mine never come to fruition, things turn out right when I turn to Him. Scott Moen says,
Yes, that’s my screen saver for 2024. I have biblical proof that this i a good way to plan.
Proverbs 3:5 tells us to not lean on our own understanding but to trust in God’s ways.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Psalm 119 states: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-26).
Then there is that song, Jesus, Take the Wheel. Last September, my son and I went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to England and Ireland. We rented a car and I let him drive “on the wrong side of the road”. I learned to lean back, trust him, and enjoy the ride. Unfortunately, walking was not as great. I ended up in bedrest and came home to discover a nasty bone spur had grown into my spinal cord. I have been basically homebound since, unable to drive and dependent on others for a lot of things.
However, God has prevailed and provided. When an opening in a senior community of one-story bungalows emerged, I quickly made plans to move. But God slammed that door shut, and I sat for another month in a second-floor apartment unable to navigate the stairs. Brokenhearted nad confused. I really wanted that bungalow.
My Lord Jehovah Jireh had a better idea – one of the few apartments in my complex, built on a hill, that didn’t involve steps to get to it came available. I love it. It is a better floor plan and I feel safe and secure. I get to stay in the area of town I love, close to shopping, friends, and church. With the aid of my walker, I can take out my own trash and go to the mail center to check my mail. It is easier for friends and delivery folk to find me in this maze of buildings, too. His plan was much better than mine!
The trek to England and Ireland was worth it and taught me a good lesson. I am no longer satisfied with having God ride shot gun or trying to be a backseat driver. Instead, I want to be a passenger and see where He leads me this year.
And for once in a long while, I am kinda excited about how 2024 will unfold. I have the best driver who already knows what lies ahead taking me there. My goal is to give thanks for that, every day.
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