God Had Other Plans
My parents didn’t plan
To have a fourth child
But I came along
To their surprise
For God had other plans
As a child, I was shy
But as I grew I’d find
Myself leading others
Despite what I had in mind
Because God had other plans
But still I would try
To go my own way
Vowing I’d never manage others
In a college essay
Yet God had other plans
I’d go on to do that
In my career
In multiple roles
Over many years
For God had other plans
I had a fear of public speaking
That I’d have to face too
It was required of my job
So I had no choice but to do
And God had other plans
I’d find myself one day
Giving my testimony
And speaking at events
For women’s ministry
Because God had other plans
Next I would step
Into ministry roles
Leading and guiding
God-seeking souls
As God had other plans
I’d begin writing stories
Forming a website of my own
To encourage others
In the things I’d been shown
For God had other plans
Public speaking, public writing
Okay
But public singing
No way
Yet God had other plans
I never liked
The sound of my voice
I would not let it be heard
If I had my own choice
But God had other plans
Not only would I find
Myself singing songs
But writing songs of my own
As time went along
Because God had other plans
And here I am today
The unplanned child, the shy child,
The reluctant-to-lead child,
The reluctant-to-speak child,
The reluctant-to-sing child,
The reluctant-to-be-me child,
Now doing-all-those-things child
Because God had other plans
And I surrendered to God’s plans
What’s next
Who knows
I won’t try to figure it out
I’ll just go with the flow
And leave it all to God’s plans
How about you? Are you surrendered to God’s plans or still holding on to your own plans? Are you walking in God’s way or standing in your own way? Are you paying attention to God’s voice or that of your own?
God is calling, are you listening?
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:10-13 (NIV)
