The day that this picture was taken, Thanksgiving of last year, I signed up for a year long writing class for 2022. I planned that by the end of the year, now, my novel that God has placed on my heart to write would be finished or at least near completion.
A week or two before the beginning of 2022, I felt God leading me to pivot my plans. He was calling me to start SWAGG and about six months later to begin my TikTok author page. He wanted me to hold off on my book for just a little bit longer.
Because of God pivoting me, I now get to share things that He puts on my heart with over three-hundred followers collectively between SWAGG and my author accounts. It has been such an incredible year. I feel blessed and in awe of God's great plan for all of us.
Does this mean that I was a godly person for surrendering to God's plan? I wish, but no, definitely not! I mainly agreed to change my plans because it logically made sense, not because I had great faith - God's working on me though.
Is God's plan always unknown logically till later on in life? No, not necessarily.
Is it wrong to make plans? Again, no. We just need to be diligent in praying over them and willing to change them when God calls us to.
Ultimately, we must realize that God's plan is best, whether it logically makes sense to us now or till we're in Heaven, because His thoughts and ways are higher and better than the greatest thing are mind could ever come up with.
It’s hard to trust that God has the best plan, because His plan is usually different than we expect and may even oppose our desires.
Israel was waiting for the promised Savior. One that would overthrow the Roman government that ruled over them. A king that would bring political peace, freedom, and justice. Mary and Joseph also probably thought that the birth of Jesus would be kind of glorious – or at least in a house. But due to traveling for a census, Jesus was born in a barn where Mary and Joseph stayed because there were no rooms available. Isaiah’s prophecy was still fulfilled though. Jesus came and overthrew an evil – sin. Jesus’ sacrifice brought spiritual peace, freedom, and justice. Finally, the barn birth shows that Jesus wasn’t into elitism, He humbly came for the lost.
Ways to have faith in God’s plan are: First, focus on how His plan is affecting others. Israel wanted political freedom for themselves, God wanted to free all who desired from sin. If Mary and Joseph had gotten a room, the shepherds might not have been allowed to see Jesus. Look to see whose life could be impacted because of our situation. Second, choose humility. Mary could’ve felt she had the right to complain, she labored and had a child in a barn. Also, Luke says “While they were there,…”* so Mary might have spent many of her last nights pregnant in a barn. Yet, it never says that she grumbled or demanded. Mary shows that we can humbly surrender to God’s plan even when it’s painful and confusing. Third, find comfort in knowing that we’re where we’re supposed to be. We must rest in knowing that our soul, heart, and mind are safest when we embrace and participate in God’s plan.
Here’s how not to have faith in God’s plan: Interpret the Bible the way you want – This can lead to misunderstanding God’s plan and what to expect in Your walk with Him. Try to convince God that your plans and solutions are better – God tells us that His thoughts and ways of doing things are much greater. Neglect to acknowledge spiritual warfare – When God’s asking you to trust Him or your plans are failing, these are times that Satan will try to attack you with doubt. Prepare by praying on the armor of God.
God’s Guidance:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Luke 2:5-7 (NIV) – “He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Philippians 2:8-11 (NIV) – “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Luke 19:10 (NIV) – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) – ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NIV) – “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Application:
1. Make a habit of praying on the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:13-17
2. Read Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:1-7, and Philippians 2:5-11; which is about 4 verses a day
3. Ask God to reveal the people in your life that He wants you to impact through your circumstances and whom you might have already been impacting through it
Strength Point:
It’s not our job to try to understand God’s plan or offer solutions, instead we’re provided an armor to protect us as we rest our minds, hearts, and souls in His goodness.
Reflection Question:
How did your plans for this year go?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for Your amazing plan for my life. I can’t wait to see how You use me and Your movement in lives around me and throughout the world! I’m sorry for thinking that my plans are better than Yours or rejecting Your plan because __. Remind me, when I do make plans, to do it prayerfully and in a posture of joy mixed with understanding and surrender. In this way, I can look forward to what could happen while being mindful that my all-knowing King might want me to do something else or go somewhere else and that’s more than okay. I ask You, my generous God, please give me a flexible spirit, align my desires with Yours, and teach me discernment between what’s Your true plan and what I’m trying to make be part of Your plan. Thank You for not just the personal plans You have for each of us, but ultimately for Your redemption plan to save everyone who asks to be. You had all of this planned out even before the world was created. You are amazing! I love You, God! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for Your amazing plan for my friend’s life. I can’t wait to see how You use and move us! Help them to realize that their plans cannot compare to the greatness of Yours, let them not reject Your plan no matter the reason. Remind my friend, when they do make plans, to do it prayerfully and in a posture of joy mixed with understanding and surrender. In this way, they can look forward to what could happen while being mindful that God, the all-knowing King, might want me to do something else or go somewhere else and that’s more than okay. I ask You, my generous God, please give my friend a flexible spirit, align their desires with Yours, and teach them discernment between what’s Your true plan and what their trying to make be part of Your plan. Thank You for not just the personal plans You have for each of us, but ultimately for Your redemption plan to save everyone who asks to be. You had all of this planned out even before the world was created. You are amazing! I love You, God! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
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