Plan to trust in God

I once wanted and planned to be a neurosurgeon. I had my life laid out and knew what each step of the way looked like, and even when they would happen. I planned to marry a girl shorter than I. (I am 5′ 6.5″ and Amy is 5’7″; cue the smiles.) I had the number of kids worked out: a boy and a girl, with the boy born first, as well as the types of cars I wanted and where I wanted to live.

I had everything planned. Once I had that in place, I took this plan to the Lord for His approval. All I heard was crickets! I heard nothing from the Lord. As I read God’s Word I realized the answer was that an eraser needed to be applied to my “planned” life. Once I had removed all my plans, I heard the Lord’s approval of that planning, simply open and available for whatever God had intended. Proverbs 3:5-6 became my life verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; trust not in your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Instead of me planning my “best” path, I trusted the Lord with all my life (vocation, marriage, children, location and even transportation). Multiple times I have been faced with options for change or new opportunities. Each time I have sought the Lord for wisdom of what to do. I have searched Scripture for the principles of what is godly and right in serving the Lord. And I have also asked for wise counsel from those who know me and who follow and serve the Lord, asking for their insight into how I should respond to the options and opportunities. Each time I have been given clear direction (peace) in the response I needed to give.

Have there been times when I have done my own thing? Unfortunately, yes. And each time, the Lord has forgiven me as I repented and then led me to once again follow and serve Him. There have also been many times that the lack of God’s peace has kept me from making decisions that wouldn’t have been God’s best for me, and saved me from some not so good situations. I know that hindsight can, at times, be 20/20 for us. I have learned to trust that God’s foresight is 20/20 all the time.

One note on the wise counsel: I have never looked to others to be an oracle of wisdom about what I should do, nor have I ever asked them to make the decisions for me. Instead, what I have asked is for them to ask questions to help me consider the options or opportunities from other, non-invested, positions. Yes, they are invested in me, but that makes them want the very best for me in serving the Lord.

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor