I sure would have scripted it differently. From my vantage point, He made an awful lot of poor decisions. But hey, I’m just the copy boy. He is the Screenwriter.God has made some interesting choices with my life. I might have guessed that I would go to college in Tennessee, but never thought I would spend 13 years in the Bible Belt. My parents may have told you I would be a minister some day, but not a church planter in Greater Seattle. I always assumed I would get married some day, but certainly not to a southern belle from North Carolina. What happened along the way? How did we get here?
God doesn’t work through a committee and typically doesn’t take suggestions. (Although there are a couple very interesting stories to serve as exceptions. Check out the story of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20. Whoa.) There have been many times I tried to gently nudge God in the “right” (aka my) direction. It never works. For some reason He just doesn’t seem convinced that I know what I’m talking about.
This past weekend the family and I were guests at another church's Missions Festival. They were celebrating, honoring and reaffirming their commitments to the missionaries they support. We are blessed enough to be counted among them. All weekend, as I spoke to the people, and thought about the situation I found myself in, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. I never would have imagined this life course. I'm not even sure how we got here. But here we are. And I'm so grateful.
Do you remember the old Garth Brooks song “Unanswered Prayers?” The final line of the chorus in that great song says “some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Man, am I ever glad God doesn’t listen to me! I asked for so many foolish things and would have ended up in all the wrong places with all the wrong people. If I had been given the opportunity to write the script for my own life it would have been a train wreck. Thankfully God loves me enough to not give me my own way. Instead, as the heavenly Screenwriter, He does what He knows is best and allows me to catch up when I can. Thank you, Lord!
.JPG)
1 comment:
I totally agree with what you are saying. Lately I have been asking God a lot of questions because he hasn't been doing things the way I want them done. I almost think He is intentionally doing the opposite to keep me dependant upon Him.
Life has felt more unexpected, chaotic, emotional, etc. for months now...very difficult for a planner to deal with. This can make it very frustrating when trying to look ahead. I have, however, been very pleased when looking back and seeing how it was all a part of a bigger plan that little old me could not have developed if I tried.
Thank you, God, for always knowing best and having my best interest at heart.
Post a Comment