My Plan vs. God’s Plan
We as humans really like to think that we know what’s best for us. We know what we should do, where we should go, and how we are going to do it. Except, we actually know none of those things. And we tend to get a lot of things wrong when we lean on our own understanding… If not everything.
Sometimes it’s hard to grasp the concept of surrender. It’s actually kind of always hard to grasp. How can things “work out” if I’m not planning every step, making sure every detail is correct, and putting an action plan into place?
But as with most other narrow paths, of course it’s going to be more difficult to surrender. However, similar to other outcomes of taking the narrow road, it’s going to be more freeing in the end.
This is something I write about pretty often, and that’s because it tends to be one of my biggest struggles. As a planner myself, I tend to think that just about anything can be accomplished with a detailed to-do list or schedule.
Now, I’m not going to say that being organized and creating a plan is useless; it’s pretty helpful in regards to fulfilling a plan. However, it can be a slippery slope. Did my plan cause a good outcome? Or.. Did God allow my plan to produce fruit as a blessing from Him as a part of His plan?
This is where it get’s a little tricky for me. But I am now realizing that not only do I need to surrender my goals, dreams, and “end results” to God, but I also need to surrender the plan itself. I need to ask Him for guidance, ask Him for direction. Man can make his plans… But the Lord determines his steps.
Something else that can be difficult to come to terms with is that we often think that we understand how things should play out, or what is in our best interest.
But in the end, God knows better than we do. Far, far better. Would you trust the author or the reader to better understand the point of the plot in a story? Probably the author, right? I mean, the reader only knows what has happened thus far. The author? Well, they would know every part of the story. Every intricate detail leading up to the end. Every hardship the characters had to endure, every closed door, every disappointment; the author understands their purpose from the start.
It’s kind of an interesting thing. Surrender can be incredibly difficult and uncomfortable, but it leads to a feeling of freedom and peace that you can only get from giving your desires to God.
Surrender also requires an immense amount of trust, and building trust requires creating a relationship, and creating a relationship requires hard work and quality time with that person. I think you get the point.
Now, the future isn’t the only thing that can bring us fear or uncertainty. Events of the past and present can also bring feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and confusion in regards to how they play a role in our story, or how they can be “worth” anything. Some things in life just aren’t… good. But, God can use anything for the betterment of His Kingdom. He can use hurt and pain and suffering to not only produce perseverance, but also character and hope.
So, if you’re in a season of waiting, uncertainty, or feeling worried about what the future holds, take the time now to get in your Bible, learn more about God’s heart and love for you, and ask Him to help you with your faith and your surrender.
Trust me, it’s a hard journey, one that I am nowhere near understanding or being “good at.” In fact, it’s something I struggle with often, which is why I hope that through my struggle I can help others going through the same battle.
