Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Plan "G"

I believe I have heard God speak to me many times. When He has spoken, He has often shown me where I am to go with my life and ministry.  I see the goal clearly.  I know my destiny at least for the next chapter of my life.  

The problem is I really don't know how to get there or how long it will take.  So immediately my mind begins to form plans to reach this goal.  I use reason and logic to help me.  I draw on past experiences.  I finally arrive at the best plan, Plan "A," and I begin to put it into action. God has equipped us the ability to do this and He wants us to use what He has given us.  

However, not long after forming Plan "A," it has to be modified.  It is not working as expected. It is difficult to predict all of the factors that will eventually influence the plan.  Plan "B" has to be formulated with the Holy Spirit's help.  In fact I've never arrived at any goal for my life or ministry using the "original" plan.  After a series of changes, Plan "G" (plan God) finally emerges.  Sometimes it is very different from Plan "A," but it is always better.

This has certainly been the case with our ministry here in Peru and with our vision for El Oasis. In fact I'm not even sure that we have arrived at Plan "G" yet.  We know were we are going. We are getting closer, but we are still adjusting the plan.

This is a hard lesson to learn, especially as parents.  As our children move into adulthood, plans must be adjusted.  Their destiny may be somewhat clear, but the pathway to this destiny may be very cloudy.  We have to understand that Plan "A" will need to be changed many times.  Our job is to help them make the adjustments.  Our job is to help them find Plan "G".  It is not easy. It may take lots of prayer and tears.  But with God's help we will get there and we will discover that His way was much better.