Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I type this I am thanking God for the free gym membership. I am enrolled in the “Shoveling Aerobics Class.” I get to bend my back, twist my body as I throw snow, work on my lung capacity in winter weather and avoid slipping on ice. So far the instructor says I am doing a good job. I would like to be in another class!
I am a planner. I probably got this from my parents. In life this sometimes serves me well and at other times not so well. See I was already planning for my “Shoveling Aerobics Class” back in the fall. I always make sure I cut the grass short around the driveway and sidewalks so that when it comes time to push the snow that direction it makes the job easier. Also, with two snowstorms subsequent weekends, my planning was again a gift I got to use. I made sure the snow and ice were cleared as round two made its way in. I was out in our driveway moving snow at least every other day as storm #2 approached. If you do a little, then it saves from having to do a lot. See, I am learning as I get older.
So, you can see, planning can be a good thing. But as I already stated it can also be a not-so-good thing. When you are planner, and your plans don’t go as you have laid them out, it can be bothersome. And the complaining comes and the whining and Lord please get me out of winter. He laughs at us His foolish children. God is a planner too – I’ve always loved that about Him! He planned for His Son to burst into the world through a virgin. He planned for this child to be perfect. He planned that this human being would come and die for all the other human beings of all time. He would go to the cross for all the foolish and silly planners. The disruptions He brought upset a lot of plans. The plan would continue with a resurrection and a completed plan of salvation. The plan from the beginning was now being fulfilled.
I know it would help me to remember this when plans don’t go according to plan. You too? Isaiah reminds us “His ways (plans) are not my ways (plans.)” Thank God for that.
Now hand me a shovel, class is about to start again!
In Christ,
Pastor