God's Plan and Timing

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Do you ever find yourself waiting for God to show you what direction He wants you to take?  Waiting for the perfect sign that you're on the right path?  Asking God - is this your plan and timing? 

We give our troubles to the Lord, be thankful, and know that He is going to make everything turn out for good.  But what do we do during the long lengths of time waiting?  I find this to be extremely challenging at times.  Maybe you're in a difficult situation right now and you're wondering when things will change, or if you're making right choices.  Lots of time may go by and you keep waiting, hoping something will change.  But maybe through the waiting you're being taught something.

When I go through these waiting periods, I drench myself in prayer.  Simple things, like - do I take a shower, or do I eat breakfast first?  Do I grocery shop on Wednesday night, or on Saturday morning?  I get right down to the simple choices in life and it always makes me feel so much better.  God even tells us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  What great advice he gives us!

  

Even though God's timing is not our timing, it is perfect timing, even if we don't realize it or like it at the time.  Looking back we can always see just how perfect it is.  The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

The other day, I had to travel about 70 miles away from my house for work.  I am not a fan of driving at all, so I was not looking forward to going; but it was God's path and timing.  While I was planning my trip I prayed about every choice I had to make and I let him dictate my steps.  It wasn't the day I wanted to go, it wasn't how I wanted to get there, but I just kept believing in His plan and timing for me. 

The morning I got ready for my journey, I received several flash flood warnings on my phone due to torrential downpours in the area.  Frightened, I immediately starting praying about it and letting God know I trusted his plan and timing.  I finished getting ready with pure confidence in Him.  I left the house, it was raining slightly but I wasn't scared knowing he was directing my steps.  I had my destination all set in the GPS, even though I knew exactly what way "I" wanted to drive.  I was driving along and the GPS told me to go right.  I thought, "That's odd, I've never gone that way, why would I go that way?"  I ignored the directions it wanted me to go and kept driving straight.   

As I got to another cross road the GPS again wanted me to go right!  By now I was getting rather aggravated as I did NOT want to go that way and honestly, sadly forgot about God's plan and timing for me - I am human!  I had also realized I needed money for tolls and of course I had to use the bathroom!  So why would I go right?  Plus I knew there was a rest stop just ahead.  Why would I go into the unknown countryside and risk having no cash and no way to relieve myself?!  So, I kept going straight. 

As I drove, the GPS AGAIN wanted me to go right!  I said out loud, "Are you kidding me?  I have no idea where you're taking me, I need money and I HAVE to pee!"  Like a disobedient little child realizing their parent was correct I said, "Alright, I will trust you.  I will trust that you have a plan and this is your timing, but PLEASE provide me with a restroom and an ATM!"  So off I went - turning right.  Not knowing where I was; reluctant, yet comforted in the path laid out before me. 

As I drove along, praying He would give me my two requests, low and behold, there in front of me was a convenient store!  "Praise Jesus!" I yelled!  God  provided me with a public bathroom, an ATM, and I was able to get a scrumptious banana - SCORE!

As I got onto the major highway, I looked in my rear-view mirror glancing at the path that "I" wanted to travel, before listening to God and turning right.  All I could see were dark, black, storm clouds behind me - it was storming so hard!  I looked in front of me and there was nothing but beautiful blue skies and the bright yellow sun.  Praise God that He kept me from that storm!  He had me go right, even though I didn't want to!  I finally listened to Him and He got me out of that awful storm!  You see, that is what our Heavenly Father does for us.  The Bible says in Psalm 25 4:5 "Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

My trip was a huge success!  I was able to complete my work with ease.  Although the entire trip was going out of my comfort zone, it helped me in my journey with my Creator even more - what a huge blessing!  Now when I am waiting, wondering if I am on his path I can look back on that moment, yet small and simple, and know His plan and timing is always perfect!  It's up to me to be patient in Him and His perfect, wonderful plan and timing!

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide us on our journey.  Please help us to be patient when we wait for your plan and timing.  Help us trust in your plan and timing even though it may feel like a very long wait.  Help us remember that a thousand days are like one day to you and one day to you is a thousand years to us.  We thank you for your continuous love as you guide us along our path.  Please protect us and watch over us in our journey.  In Jesus's precious name, Amen!

2 Peter 3:8 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friend: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day."