Have you heard the expression “We make plans and Gods laughs”? Unlike “Satan, get behind me,” I really dislike this saying. I think planning is very wise and God-ordained. It’s certainly well based in Scripture. Noah planned the ark, Jacob had a plan to win his beloved, Moses and David had countless plans to keep the Israelites safe, and the temple Solomon built was planned in great detail. Jesus was no different, with plans to change water into wine, obtain funds to pay taxes (from the fish’s mouth, remember?), make the Last Supper arrangements, and even care for his mother after his death. No, I don’t think God laughs when we’re doing our best to manage our lives.
That said, there are times when things are just not in our hands. Despite our best efforts, events can take an unexpected turn. I can quickly recall several times my life took an unplanned and traumatic twist, such as:
- When my water broke just 26 weeks into my pregnancy with my twin daughters.
- The day my manager called me into the office and told me to go get my purse because my job had been eliminated effective immediately.
- The time the moving van arrived six hours late for our relocation from upstate New York to Las Vegas, and the movers had all of our possessions spread across the front lawn at 10pm.
- The three days I spent sick in bed in a Las Vegas hotel with my nine year-old daughters tending to me while their father went on to Phoenix to meet our possessions when they arrived (relocations never seem to be in my hands!)
- The call that my dad had passed, just hours after he was released from the hospital.
I could continue, but you get the point. In fact, I imagine you started your own list as you were reading mine! Reflecting on all this, I still see value in planning, especially if we want to receive with grace and ease. Let’s avoid getting too attached to those plans, however, and remember to recognize when things just aren’t in our hands. Let’s surrender to the moment and affirm that Divine Order is at work, regardless of appearances. It’s typically during these traumatic times that we receive our greatest blessings, unplanned as they are.