On Sunday, we pulled out of our church parking lot, and from the backseat, my kiddos started begging for Wendy’s. Little did they know, I had a surprise up my sleeve. It was Mother’s Day, so I had planned to treat them (and myself of course) to ice cream and a playground we hadn’t been to in awhile.
I had told them “I have a surprise! You’re going to love it!” Though I was excited, they were not. They had fixed their focus on Wendy’s drive-thru - begging, crying, and even screaming for me to stop the van as we drove by the exit.
I started to grow a little frustrated, when I realized: What an accurate picture of me with God.
I make plans (like really good and perfect plans) and when they don’t go my way (which they usually don’t), I cry, I fight, and I plead for what I want. I’ve been walking with The Lord long enough to know the reality is that His plans are so much better, bigger, and sweeter than mine.
He says, “For I know the plans I have for you’ — this is the Lord’s declaration — ‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). And even still, I cry out for a fast and greasy fix – just like my children were -- over what God has planned for my life.
My friends, God’s plans are hard to understand at times, especially in long seasons of wanting and waiting. Maybe you're in one right now, and you feel hungry. You're looking for a quick fix, when God’s got a full and fun meal planned ahead that's sweeter than anything you can dream up. It’s just a little more waiting. Before you start to think, I’ve been waiting so long, God doesn’t care that I’m hungry. Know: It’s hard to trust when you can’t always see or when you’re not driving the car. BUT, God gives good gifts. Jesus even said, “What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:9-11). Those are powerful words to think about. It's a reminder that:
Sometimes the wait is long, but God hasn't forgotten about you (Joshua 1:5)
Sometimes it feels like it will never happen, but His ways are better than ours (Isaiah 55:8).
Sometimes it’s frustrating or maybe even absolutely heartbreaking, but God is still near (Psalm 34:18).
If we could live this picture perfect life that we dream of, would we really even need to rely on God? Would we go to prayer if everything were perfect? Would we cry out to Him in times of trouble? Would we even have the desire to know Him? And would we lift up thanks as easily as we do knowing these days are truly gifts?
Let us remind ourselves this weekend, friends: He's working in us through our less than perfect circumstances. He's doing something. He's working things out, and He's building up the good. Despite our current circumstances (or difficult people), let us surrender to that and repeat: His plans are always good.
“We know that ALL things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
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