“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord established his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
I’m a planner. It’s part of being a teacher. But I’ve become a person who not only plans, but who makes contingency plans for when my initial plans go awry. Occupational hazard of being a high school choral director, I suppose.
In all honesty, I don’t want to be a person who plans that much. It’s exhausting.
And now I’m taking a big plunge – I’m selling my home, and I don’t know where I’m moving to.
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve planned to sell my home for a few years, and I was waiting to finish my doctoral program and be in a strong seller’s market. I’ve done what I can to prepare myself, like hoarding boxes since 2020 when the Amazon delivery person became my best friend.
Yup, this planner is taking a leap of faith. . . .and that’s exactly what it is – a leap of faith.
Because I’m living on God’s timeline.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
I love looking back on events in my life and seeing evidence of God’s timeline. Starting in fall of 2018, I worked three jobs and went to school. I had no idea how I was going to have the time to conduct my research project and write my dissertation. In July of 2021, after much prayer, God told me it was time for me to step down from my job as a worship leader after 5-and-a-half years. My research project was approved three days after my last Sunday.
I worked on my project every moment that I wasn’t teaching. God’s timeline was perfect – He provided a job to fund my research, and then He released me from it and gave me time to complete the study. I still smile when I think about His timing in that situation.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
If the Bible is true, and God declares that He has a plan for me, then it must be some kind of crazy wonderful plan, beyond all that I ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21) or can possibly imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).
So, as I follow God’s steps, I’m praying for wisdom, calm, wise counsel, and a clear path.
I’m praying for His will to be done, which provides a peace of release from my current moving anxieties.
Because His timeline is best.
And I believe He’s getting my next home ready for me. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
When have you seen evidence of God’s timeline in your life? What are you asking God for right now, and how can you align your prayers with His purpose for your life?
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord established his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 ESV
