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Plans

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
 
        This proclamation was made to the nation of Israel while they were in Babylon. I like to think that it applies equally to individuals. Most people assume it does. It’s a well-known, well-loved declaration. God, the Omniscient One knows. Really? What a surprise. What does He know? He knows the plans He has for us. Plans require planning, which means consideration and thought. Good plans include influences of other factors, and influences on other factors. How will the presence of each person effect the plan? How will each person’s response effect the plan. A good plan is not, “Let’s try X and see what happens!” followed by an “Oh dear, that didn’t go well, so let’s try Y.” As I said before, God’s plans don’t include exclamations of “Oh My Self!”
         What this means is that for God to know the plans He has for me, He has to have made those plans. I may not like all that He’s planned. I certainly am not excited to have my other knee get strained yesterday. It’s interfering with my plans for me. That’s nothing in comparison to what some friends, and friends of friends are experiencing. It’s nothing compared to what families in Manchester, England are facing. But that’s not the point. The point is that the plans are well-made and are being carried out for my benefit. His plans for you are also well-made and being carried out for your benefit.
          I can’t tell you all of the benefits of the plans He has for me, but right now, having my knees go on serial strikes is providing me with direction. There are things I just can’t do. Some of them were part of my plans. His plans include a bigger picture than mine can. I’m back to bow the knee, and an “Ouch!” that is physical, not volitional. I can live with that.
          One of the lessons I learned last Winter comes to mind. Dad didn’t like my plans, so I gave them up but asked God to bring to me what I could not go get. He did. He still is because one of the things I wanted I didn’t get last winter. I got it this spring. It’s a good request.
          Father, You know the plans You have for me. My plans do not appear to fit with Yours. There are things I cannot seem to do, and yet, I desire the outcomes they would produce. So I ask You, Lord, to bring to me what I cannot go get. In truth, Lord, I know that I need to ask You for the things I can go get, too. I do ask You for those things, but even more, I ask You to provide what I cannot get, starting with You.
 
 

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