The Weekly Encourager – January 15, 2013 – My Plans Are In Your Hands

The last two sermons at church have been particularly relevant to my life. In the first week of the new year (Jan. 6), Pastor Dave Coffin preached a sermon on James 4:13-17. The title I wrote in my notes was, “If the Lord Wills.” The main point for me was that we should go ahead and make our plans as best as we are able, working hard to achieve success in our endeavors, but always recognizing that the Lord is sovereign over all. What we plan may not come to pass, so we must be humble and prayerful. We must learn to live with the “if” of uncertainty, yet be hopeful. “My times are in Thy hand.” - Psalm 31:15

My husband and I had planned a Life Reboot for 2012-2013. The idea was to get a few things organized and then to dive into some creative projects that we haven't had time to do. However, the Lord had other plans, including deaths of family and friends, a merger at Dave's day job, the need to upgrade our home business and train a new employee, new health issues, major home repairs, etc. All of these have required lots of extra time and energy. After several months, we've barely dipped our toes into the creative pool. That trip to Europe? Postponed again.

How tempting it is to complain and resent what the Lord has brought into my life at this time! Yes, I know that He created me and all the universe, and that He has every right to order any and all events as He sees fit, but He did not give us the joyful year we wanted. At least I can be thankful that we cleared the decks of volunteer jobs, since we ended up needing every bit of that extra time for the things that happened! I'm sure the Lord knew that in advance. What we want is not necessarily what we need, and our loving wise Father always gives what is best. Once, when our nephew was about five, he got up one morning before his parents were awake. He crept down to the kitchen and ate a whole box of 12 doughnuts, then got sick. Had his parents been around, they would have limited him to one or two treats. Am I a little child who wants to eat a whole box of doughnuts at once?

The next Sunday (Jan. 13) sermon was on humility, that most essential Christian virtue. Writing to the church, Peter said, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:5-7 Pastor Coffin said we are to tie on a servant's apron as Jesus tied on a towel to wash the disciples' feet. An apron is the occupational garb of every Christian. “Get dressed for work!”

To be humble, we must have great notions of who God is and know our proper position relative to Him. I am utterly dependent upon Him for life. He owes me nothing, yet He gives me great riches in Christ Jesus. I am to rest in His will as a weaned child leans up against his mother, in perfect peace and contentment. Therefore, I place my plans in His hands. Humility is always accompanied by faith.

Recently an acquaintance quoted to me, “If you ask anything in My name, it will be done.” She seemed to think it was a formula for getting whatever you want from God. But God is King and Ruler over all; He does not have to answer any of our prayers in the way we wish. I asked her to consider Jesus. Obviously if anyone ever prayed in God's will, it was Jesus. Yet when He asked to avoid the cross if possible, how did God answer that prayer of the most righteous and holy Man that ever lived? He said No. Jesus prayed with great humility, “Not My will, but Yours.” That is the attitude I must have when making plans for the new year, or even for each new day. Not my will, but Yours, Lord. Not my plans, but Yours. Not my timing, but Yours. Not my glory, but Yours.

He chooses by His grace to give us many blessings. I thank God that, although we have lost dear ones this year, we still have wonderful family, friends, and church! I thank God that, although work has been demanding, we do have jobs! I thank God that, although our home needs extensive and expensive waterproofing work done, we do have a home! I thank God that, although we're getting older and it's harder to take care of our bodies, we are still able to feed ourselves, exercise, sleep, and do many other tasks! I am particularly grateful that I have not had another serious ankle, foot, or leg injury since 2005. I can walk without a cane, and that is a huge blessing I never would have appreciated had I not been through the whole painful cycle of surgery, bed-rest, therapy, etc. more than once. Most of all, I thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ and the hope of new life to come!

Oh, teach me, Lord, to be grateful, not grumbling! Teach me to use my time and energy and these good gifts to honor You and to serve others while I am here. Grow in me the faith and humility of Christ. My plans are in Your hands.

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.”

God is faithful,

To hear the excellent sermons by Dr. David F. Coffin, Jr., visit http://newhopefairfax.org/resources/sermons-to-hear

Hymn text “Have Thine Own Way” by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1902.