So many people have started this day out with their plan for the new year. For some, that may be in the way of resolutions, others may have some sort of strategic plan, and many will at least have some broad objectives or goals. Regardless of how those plans are structured, they are based on the expectations that certain actions should be taken to yield the desired results. At this point in the year, most of us are hopeful that we have enough control over our actions to accomplish our objectives.
Inevitably, what we have found out over previous years is that there are far too many things that are beyond our control that will impact our ability to take the specific actions that we have based our plans around. It will come as a surprise to us when that moment hits us, but it really shouldn’t, as our lives are filled with unplanned and uncontrolled moments. We don’t plan on being in car accidents, or being diagnosed with cancer, or having our employer go out of business. On less significant matters, we don’t expect unseasonable weather, or catching the flu, or blowing your transmission. Things large and small happen to us, disrupting our daily lives and making our carefully-laid plans impossible to complete. Psalm 33:10 says that the Lord “frustrates the plans of the people”, usually because the people fail to consult the Lord before making those plans. But even if we have been faithful to seek the will of God before making our plans, things beyond our control still cause disruption.
Knowing that the unplanned is inevitable, how you react can be more important than how you initially planned to act. Will you get angry because your plan was disrupted, or will you allow for the possibility that God orchestrated the disruption because He had something else planned? Will you panic because your plan got blown to smithereens, or will you calmly allow for a different plan to come together? Will you boldly continue, perhaps even doubling down on making your plan work, or will you consider alternatives?
None of this is to say that you shouldn’t plan, or that you should give up on your plans when life gets in the way. However, it is to suggest that our success is based not only on our planned actions, but also on our reactions to those things that are unplanned. And in my experience, I react much better when I keep in mind that God isn’t taken by surprise by anything that happens in my life, so I don’t need to panic. Instead, when things go awry, I try to remember that God works in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28), so that my reaction can be guided by the idea that the momentary disruption won’t end in total failure.
Seek God’s will for this upcoming year, make your plans, and then work to the best of your ability to make it all happen. But don’t get anxious, angry, or depressed if life throws you a curveball or two. Instead, trust that God just might have a better plan for you, and rest in the assurances of His promises for you. Peace, blessings, and a Happy New Year – Pastor Aaron