How Did I Get Here?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Do you ever look at your life and wonder just how you got where you are?  As I sit here typing, it’s Friday afternoon and I’m in an airport on my way to Tulsa.  Tomorrow, it will be my privilege to take the stage and let the Holy Spirit send me the words that will hopefully make a couple hundred women laugh, pray and fall a little more deeply in love with the Father.  It’s an awesome gig and I’m just scratching my head thinking “Why me God…what did I ever do to deserve such a cool task?”  It’s a freaky, snowy, April day in Michigan and I’m happily headed to some sunshine and heat and I’m pretty excited about that!  I often look at my life and take note of the dozens and dozens of things that are not at all like I thought they would be when I got older.  Nearly every one of those differences causes me to sigh deeply and say “thank goodness for that!”  I revel at how much smarter God is than me and I take absolute delight in how joyful, peaceful and FUN the life he mapped out for me is.  That being said, there are days I’m not so thrilled with his plan.  I get tired and frustrated and I struggle; heck, there are even days when I get irritated for no reason at all and feel an overwhelming desire to drop kick someone into the cow pen!  Those not so lovely days boil down to one simple thing…a lack of trust and desire to stick to his plan!

My friend Brian told an amazing story not long ago about trust.  The story came at the perfect time because my “trust tank” was running a little low. I may not tell the story exactly the right way because at the time I was hearing it my heart was pounding so hard and my thoughts were zipping around in my head so fast it was hard for my ears to keep up. Maybe you know the feeling and maybe this story will hit your heart the same way it hit mine.

The story was about a man who had been shipwrecked but by the grace of God was able to salvage supplies for his survival.  He was so grateful for God’s goodness and he thanked him because even though this terrible thing had happened, God provided the supplies and a way to save them.  The man built a hut to house and protect the supplies essential for his survival and again offered his praise and thanksgiving to the Father. (I remember thinking at that point in the story; great job for remembering to thank God during the trial.) Then disaster struck again and the hut which contained the lifesaving goods burned to the ground. In fear, hopelessness and desperation he cried out to God and asked why he had abandoned him and allowed him to suffer such a debilitating loss.  As he contemplated his certain demise, he spotted a ship that had come to his rescue.  The captain of the ship told him what a brilliant idea it had been to build such a huge fire to signal help.  He told the man that the ship had been headed in a completely different direction but seeing such a huge amount of smoke he realized it clearly must have been someone signaling for help so he immediately changed course and came to his rescue. How’s that for a lesson in God having the final say and the best plan ever!

If there are hiccups and speed bumps in my life it isn’t because God messed up or forgot about me; it’s because he’s getting me ready for the next thing.  Since I can’t possibly know what that next thing is, I probably shouldn’t waste my time building a hut to protect the stuff I think I need to get there.  I can’t possibly know so I shouldn’t pack, store and prepare…I simply need to trust, obey and stick to his plan.   He’s already shown me patience, love, grace, mercy and blessings beyond imagination why would I even question?

A Seed To Plant: Make a list of some of the times God’s plan turned out to be way better than yours.  Be sure to offer your thanks for all the “fires” along the way that revealed how much he loves and cares for you.

Blessings on your day!