Our plans versus God’s plan?

Take a moment to meditate on the deeper level of this Scripture.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.“

Proverbs 19:21

It’s next level, isn’t it? One of those reflections of time and space. I often find myself getting lost in Scriptures like this one.  I’m consumed by thoughts of how God is guiding my life, and my eternal life for those willing to accept that statement. God’s sovereignty always seems to be on my mind and always has been.

Apart from a few devotionals and a couple of the Narnia books, the first piece of Christian literature I ever owned, was J.I. Packer’s “Evangelism & The Sovereignty Of God“. His descriptions of God’s sovereignty blew my mind! Just consider this one.

“Divine sovereignty is a vast subject: it embraces everything that comes into the biblical picture of God as Lord and King in His world, the One who ‘worketh all things after the counsel of his own will’ (Eph. i. I I), directing every process and ordering every event for the fulfilling of his own eternal plan.”

J.I. Packer, Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God, (Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1991), 9.

“God didn’t create robots!”

This is a response that I have heard dozens of times when discussing God’s sovereignty. Trust me, I understand the dangers of allowing the pendulum to swing too far in that direction. I completely reject the Frozen Chosen mindset. Although I’m a fan of John Calvin’s theological work, I believe prayer and evangelism are far too essential for me to jump into a 5-point doctrine.

Speaking directly to the “God didn’t create robots” comment that often comes up. Sometimes, my mind wanders, “What if we’re just really complex robots? What if we’re spiritual A.I.?” Truth be told, it might be more of a wish than a thought.

Sorry if hearing that from a pastor shocked you or offended you. Believe it or not, pastors more than anyone are constantly wrestling with big thoughts all the time, and sometimes they’re abstract.

I want God to be in control.

For me, regardless of the Biblical evidence and personal experience supporting God’s sovereignty, I just like believing that God is in control of my life. Because if He’s not, then I’m surely bound for failure.

Seriously think about it for a moment. How much of our plans come down to us making the decisions? Whenever I make a sizeable decision, I wonder if God is leading that choice in some specific way. If He is, then how much better off am I in the long run?

What do I mean by this? I’m referring to His specific guidance being given through an extraordinary process, to achieve some greater purpose that has yet to be revealed. As I look back on my life, I must admit that some of my decisions seemed of my design. Over time, it became clear that they were in fact, a pivotal step to a greater purpose. The coincidences are too significant and there’s no way I could have orchestrated such a long-standing, processed series of events. God was in it, and I love that He was in it. And I want Him in it all, all the time!

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• Have you ever been included in one of God’s proposed plans?
• How has God revealed His plan in your life over time?
• As you’ve looked back on your journey, how have the pieces fit together?