Predictability. A term often referred to as the fine art of knowing what is going to happen in the future based completely on past events. There are times I wish I had a crystal ball in life. To rub the fine polished glass, and see the swirling fog within part and reveal the answer to life’s questions. Just think of the success you could be in the stock market or in forecasting economic declines or growth. You could envision that perfect someone to fall in love with, and know the outcome of your relationship before you ever went on the first date.
When I was a teenager there was a board game called Ouiji board. This is not to debate the spiritual or demonic nature of this game but rather to reflect on the silliness of teenagers at predicting what tomorrow might bring. I remember playing with my siblings and cousins, and watching as the marker moved over the game board as if powered by spirits with a message. “Does she like me?” …..slowly it would move to Yes. “Will we get married?” …. again it would move to Yes. Silly questions on the minds of a teenager in love. Well, despite what the Ouiji board said, I am now blessed and happily married 24 years to a woman I didn’t even know when I sat playing that game at the tender age of 13. I guess it just goes to show, that despite how much we want to predict the future and establish our own destiny in life – the Lord has a much better plan.
There was a Garth Brooks song several years ago, “Unanswered Prayers”. The lines in the chorus articulate the truth of the song:
When I was a teenager there was a board game called Ouiji board. This is not to debate the spiritual or demonic nature of this game but rather to reflect on the silliness of teenagers at predicting what tomorrow might bring. I remember playing with my siblings and cousins, and watching as the marker moved over the game board as if powered by spirits with a message. “Does she like me?” …..slowly it would move to Yes. “Will we get married?” …. again it would move to Yes. Silly questions on the minds of a teenager in love. Well, despite what the Ouiji board said, I am now blessed and happily married 24 years to a woman I didn’t even know when I sat playing that game at the tender age of 13. I guess it just goes to show, that despite how much we want to predict the future and establish our own destiny in life – the Lord has a much better plan.
There was a Garth Brooks song several years ago, “Unanswered Prayers”. The lines in the chorus articulate the truth of the song:
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
How many times have you prayed for something, knowing without a doubt that it was the right thing and that God would have to see it your way? Then to watch patiently and it doesn’t come to pass. A week goes by, then another and then a month and a year. Have you ever challenged God for not delivering on your prayers? Take a look back at the times in your life when you prayed for that special someone or something to happen, only to have God take it in a completely different direction. I’ve found that His plan has always been better for me than my plans and I’m so much more blessed as a result. There are also those circumstances in my life where God has placed the right thing to do in my life and I’ve decided to go a different path for one reason or another, only to look back and see how He had a blessing waiting for me that I missed.
In the scriptures we see Peter rebuking the Lord when He explains that the Son of Man must suffer and be killed and then rise again. Peter with complete passion and little understanding of what God had in the plan, responded with emotion and human knowledge. He tried to defend His rabbi and demonstrate that he knew where Christ was heading – to the throne of a king. Peter could not see the events that would unfold that very evening in the garden, in the palace, the courtyards and the fortress dungeons. In no way could Peter have predicted the events that would unfold the following morning in the streets and on the hillside of Calvary. Even hearing his Lord’s words did not open Peter’s eyes to the sacrifice and resurrection that was to follow in the next few days.
We are no different than Peter in this light. When will Christ return and take us home? When will something tragic happen in your life and carry you to your Father in heaven? You don’t know what tomorrow brings, but you do know the Creator and Almighty Maker of heaven and earth; who does know the future. His crystal ball is perfectly clear on your life, but you need to trust in His plan as the best plan for you, despite how much you might want to go a different route. God’s plan is always perfect.
In the scriptures we see Peter rebuking the Lord when He explains that the Son of Man must suffer and be killed and then rise again. Peter with complete passion and little understanding of what God had in the plan, responded with emotion and human knowledge. He tried to defend His rabbi and demonstrate that he knew where Christ was heading – to the throne of a king. Peter could not see the events that would unfold that very evening in the garden, in the palace, the courtyards and the fortress dungeons. In no way could Peter have predicted the events that would unfold the following morning in the streets and on the hillside of Calvary. Even hearing his Lord’s words did not open Peter’s eyes to the sacrifice and resurrection that was to follow in the next few days.
We are no different than Peter in this light. When will Christ return and take us home? When will something tragic happen in your life and carry you to your Father in heaven? You don’t know what tomorrow brings, but you do know the Creator and Almighty Maker of heaven and earth; who does know the future. His crystal ball is perfectly clear on your life, but you need to trust in His plan as the best plan for you, despite how much you might want to go a different route. God’s plan is always perfect.
PRAYER:
Almighty Father,
We come before You tonight with our hearts open for Your will to be known in our life. You have a perfect plan for growing us in strength, wisdom, compassion, righteousness and love that we might serve You in the best possible manner. Forgive us for turning a different direction Lord, and push through our arrogance and independence to convict us to seek Your will in all things. We trust that You want nothing but the best for us, and that You will bring us to complete salvation through our faith in Your grace. We stand upon Your promises and lift these things in Your name – Amen.
Almighty Father,
We come before You tonight with our hearts open for Your will to be known in our life. You have a perfect plan for growing us in strength, wisdom, compassion, righteousness and love that we might serve You in the best possible manner. Forgive us for turning a different direction Lord, and push through our arrogance and independence to convict us to seek Your will in all things. We trust that You want nothing but the best for us, and that You will bring us to complete salvation through our faith in Your grace. We stand upon Your promises and lift these things in Your name – Amen.
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