i wanted to visit you on my way to macedonia, and to come back to you from macedonia and have you send me on my way to judea.     [2 corinthians 1:16]

 

i’m a planner. i always have been. when i was in grade school gearing up to go to a week of camp, i’d be packed and ready to go two weeks beforehand. and now i fill up my week with school, projects, meetings, errands, communications, and it’s all on my calendar.

so when my plans fall on their face or other people cancel at the last minute or i have to spend the day tending to a sick child, or if i didn’t communicate my plans to my husband and he made his own, so mine have to wait… do i rejoice in the Lord, knowing that he has even greater things planned for my life and for his glory?

unfortunately, hardly ever.

what paul is explaining to the corinthians in not so many words is the sovereignty and loftiness of God and his perfect plan. knowing that his own travel plans were just a small puzzle piece in the vast mosaic of eternity, he explains that his plans aren’t always the same as the Lord’s.

so why can we rejoice when our plans change?

 

  • God is good. 

for the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations. [psalm 100:5]

 

  • God knows what is good for us.

and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. for those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brethren. [romans 8:28-29]

 

  • God is in control of everything.

putting everything in subjection under his feet. now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. [hebrews 2:8]

 

so today, submit your plans to our good, wise, and sovereign God. he loves you, and for his name’s sake, he will always be faithful to do what is eternally beneficial to you.

Lord, i am fully yours, to use for your perfect will. have your way in my life today. amen.

~arwen eastman