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Wait, I Have a Plan


  Wait! I've got a plan! Have you ever said this? If I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times. I can't help it. I am a planner. Plan is my middle name. Being such has its good points, such as reaching goals, following through, and being counted as dependable. Yet even with these seemingly good qualities and a favourable outcome, my tendency to plan has sometimes taken me off the intended path through some unintended experiences before finding my way again. I recant at such times: "Why did I do that?" Clearly, there was a better way as well as the recounting of the "would have," "should have" afterthoughts - if only I had listened. 

In the book of Samuel, God has unfolded his plan for Samuel to guide the Israelites. He never intended for them to have a king because He was their King. It was a perfect plan because God designed it. Yet, the Israelites turned their attention to the world around them. Other nations had kings, so why couldn't they have one too? Despite all the things God had done to this point to rescue, care for, provide, and lead them, they chose to disregard. They whined and complained to Samuel until God relented and gave them what they wanted - a king. However, things turned out differently than the Israelites planned. Their King, Saul, could have led them better. Because they insisted on following their plan rather than God's, they spent years under his cruelty, careless leadership, and unloving and jealous demeanor- not what they had envisioned or their goal. 

Over the years, I have vivid memories of times when I insisted on being the King of my life, following my own plans, and certain no one knew better than me. Though God has rescued me more than once, I bear the battle scars of my rebellious ways as a reminder of who my King is. His name is Jesus, the one who saved me by the power of the cross, cares for, provides, hears me, and leads me every single day-including those days in my imperfect earth suit when I am still tempted to say, Lord, I have the plan. 

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

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