Expect Delays
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps"
Proverbs 16:9
Proverbs 16:9
Are you kidding me?
I was already late. But the road sign ahead instructed me to adjust my
expectations: “Expect Delays,” it announced. Traffic was slowing down.
I had to laugh: I expect things to work on my ideal timeline; I don’t expect road construction.
On a spiritual level, few of us plan for crises that slow us down or reroute our lives. Yet, if I think about it, I can recall many times when circumstances redirected me—in big ways and small. Delays happen.
Solomon never saw a sign that said, “Expect Delays.” But in Proverbs 16, he does contrast our plans with God’s providential guidance. The Message paraphrases verse 1 as follows: “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” Solomon restates that idea in verse 9, where he adds that even though we “plan [our] course . . . the Lord establishes [our] steps.” In other words, we have ideas about what’s supposed to happen, but sometimes God has another path for us.
How do I lose track of this spiritual truth? I make my plans, sometimes forgetting to ask Him what His plans are. I get frustrated when interruptions interfere.
But in place of that worrying, we could, as Solomon teaches, grow in simply trusting that God guides us, step-by-step, as we prayerfully seek Him, await His leading, and—yes—allow Him to continually redirect us.
I had to laugh: I expect things to work on my ideal timeline; I don’t expect road construction.
On a spiritual level, few of us plan for crises that slow us down or reroute our lives. Yet, if I think about it, I can recall many times when circumstances redirected me—in big ways and small. Delays happen.
Solomon never saw a sign that said, “Expect Delays.” But in Proverbs 16, he does contrast our plans with God’s providential guidance. The Message paraphrases verse 1 as follows: “Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” Solomon restates that idea in verse 9, where he adds that even though we “plan [our] course . . . the Lord establishes [our] steps.” In other words, we have ideas about what’s supposed to happen, but sometimes God has another path for us.
How do I lose track of this spiritual truth? I make my plans, sometimes forgetting to ask Him what His plans are. I get frustrated when interruptions interfere.
But in place of that worrying, we could, as Solomon teaches, grow in simply trusting that God guides us, step-by-step, as we prayerfully seek Him, await His leading, and—yes—allow Him to continually redirect us.
Today's Reflection
How
do you typically face unexpected delays and detours? When frustrations
come, what will help you lean into God and trust Him more?
I relate to this devotional a lot! Because, I am a planner- that being said I have had to learn the hard way that within me planning out my life in advance life happens. I loved this quote out of the devotional because for me I plan everything out perfectly and I expect that it will pan out. That isn't the case, we need to be open to what God has and that at any moment it could change- I need to be better with change and re-direction. where he adds that even though we “plan [our] course . . . the Lord establishes [our] steps. This is something I will forever have to work on and be okay with the re routing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful devotional. Every day there are obstacles to my plan for the day, sometimes there are many! It is so hard to let go of control and to trust God that He can handle it! It is something I struggle with constantly. I am such an organizer and always have a long to do list, so it can be frustrating to say the least, to have to roll with the punches. Yet, everyday, God keeps teaching me that everything always works out.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep The Lord's Prayer on my lips on a daily basis, which forces me to verbally ask God's Will in my life, and not my own!
ReplyDeleteEverything takes so much time... always four times longer that I plan! I find this especially difficult when I have to wait on another person to do something before I can act. It builds patience and character.
ReplyDeleteExpect delays. This is a particularly hard lesson in our day of instant gratification. I wonder have many times I might have circumvented a blessing I could have received if only I trusted in the Lord's timing rather than my own.
ReplyDelete