2007-06-16 - Plan B

Have you ever had an experience where you have everything all planned out, "all your ducks in a row," and then some sudden and unexpected event turns your dreams to dust, shatters your hopes, leaving you a mass of confusion, maybe even jarring your faith?

I'm sure that most of us experience that at one time or another. "Plan A" falls apart. A job promotion falls through. A spouse deserts his or her family, in search of the fabled "greener pastures." A car accident paralyzes someone, altering his life.

We wonder how anything good can ever come from what has happened, how we can ever feel joy or hope again. The disciples had a Plan A. They didn't truly understand that their leader, the Messiah, would have to sacrifice His life, in order to purchase salvation for them and us - and they were grief-stricken.But Plan B, which was really God's Plan A all along, was that Christ would sacrifice His life for them, and that they would be His disciples, carrying on His work:

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

The Apostle Paul had a Plan A, destroying the Christian church. But his plan B, after his conversion, gave us some of the most inspirational books of the Bible. God turned a heartless murderer into a church leader and best-selling author.

And on a smaller scale, my Plan A didn't work out many years ago, when I had a job interview at a nursing facility. I went into the facility, interviewed with the director and accepted a position that very day. Just one little detail is missing: Because of my sense of direction (or lack thereof), I had driven to the wrong facility! If Plan A had worked out, I would have worked elsewhere, and would never have met my wonderful husband of 28 years! Looking back now, we can see God's hand all over that incident, and I'm so thankful that I was lost!

As He can for any of you, God worked that out for His purpose:

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Likewise, He turned a paralyzing diving accident (Joni Eareckson Tada), and murders of missionaries (Jim Elliot and colleagues) into worldwide ministries. He turned Joseph's kidnapping into a family reconciliation and career advancement (Genesis 37-45).

And if you are in the midst of disappointmenting and devastating Plan As, God can turn them into wonderful Plan Bs. Ask Him to show you the route. It may be long, and it may not be easy, but He will be with you along the way, and you will eventually see the future and hope that God has planned for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

Comments or Questions?
Jan

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