A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a nice bench under the shade at the park nearby. Instead of just walking by it, I recently decided to walk to it—and sit awhile in the fresh air. I brought a pen and notepad to take notes on some ideas, but I mainly looked forward to a change of scenery and enjoying a peaceful time to be quiet and still. The weather was perfect, the shade was protective, and the park was almost empty. Once settled on that bench, I did open my notebook, but as soon as I began writing, several little bugs were all over my paper and me. I couldn’t flick them off quickly enough. Just as I was questioning how much longer I could take the bugs, two dogs from the house behind the bench were let into the backyard and started barking as soon as they saw me. They didn’t just bark at seeing me, they continued barking…until I left. My visit to this nice space for a peaceful time of quiet and still lasted about five minutes. Definitely not what I had in mind when I planned it.
It reminded me of similar (though more substantial) instances. A dear friend and I often got together and discussed our plans and futures—or rather our hopes and dreams—then pictured God shaking His head and getting a good chuckle out of our trying to make such extraordinary plans on our own. Yet how many times we tried! Neither of us could have ever predicted what these last few years would bring, and they are far from what we envisioned. Both of us would really like to take a few moments back to do things differently, but we know it doesn’t work that way. It is certainly a struggle when the plan we think is so right for us doesn’t come to be. And in that moment, it can be difficult to acknowledge that we don’t see what God sees, we don’t know what God knows, and we don’t plan like God plans. Yet that moment is most certainly an invitation. An invitation to renewed faith in God, to a journey in the company of Christ, and to pray for the grace of trust.
There’s nothing wrong with planning, dreaming, and hoping. They are exciting and motivating, and sometimes we do get it right. Though not much of what my friend and I had in mind actually happened, we are both still prayerfully waiting to see what comes next, and we have learned a few things about looking ahead. What is the ‘why’ behind our plans, dreams, and hopes? Is it for God’s glory or ours? Are we asking the Lord to accompany and guide us, or are we trying to proceed alone? Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Prv 19:21) I do pray for the grace of trust because I can still get caught up in my own expectations instead of fully trusting that God will reveal His plan for me. Especially when it’s most challenging, let us remember to go to Him, to trust Him, and to invite Him to accompany us: In the morning let me hear of your mercy, for in you I trust. Show me the path I should walk, for I entrust my life to you. (Psalm 143:8)
Journeying to Grace 