The Best Laid Plans

I like to have a plan and follow it. When we got married, we planned for me to finish college in two years and then work to support Kevin through seminary. Surprise. Within three months I was expecting a baby. We had to pivot. Kevin worked full-time while he went to seminary, and it took me fifteen years to finish college. Life doesn't always go as planned.

Pivoting is what Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, is known for. Scripture tells us he had a plan to "divorce Mary quietly," then an angel appeared in a dream, and immediately his plans changed (Mt.1:19-25)—they were getting married. After the Magi left Bethlehem, an angel appeared to him in a dream again. "So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt" (Mt. 2:14). "During the night!" Joseph didn't waste any time. After Herod died, an angel appeared to him in a dream a third time, "So he got up..." (Mt. 2:21). When Joseph discerned God was leading him, he followed. 

We are all called to follow where the Lord is leading. We seek to align our lives and ministries accordingly. This requires us to listen for the Lord to speak to us through his Word, to listen when we pray, to seek godly counsel, and to ask God for wisdom as we use our gifts, intellect, and experience to determine a good plan.

But once we have our best laid plan, we shouldn't be surprised when God calls us to change it. This month we are celebrating that we have a Good Shepherd who leads us always—he leads us as we prayerfully make our plans, as we work hard to bring them to fruition, as we have to change them or even shut them down. Prayerfully consider if the Lord may be calling you to pivot and yet you find yourself holding on too tightly to your plan. There's no shame or failure in following God's lead. Pivoting is part of his plan.