The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men......
The title of this blog was a comment my mom would make to me when plans had to be changed. I'm not sure where it came from, but I knew it meant that no matter how carefully we plan, sometimes things don't go as we expected. We have to alter the course, change the plan. So it is with my blog this time. First of all, it's been a while. Didn't plan on a bout with the flu or an allergic reaction in my eye. Did plan on working on a building in Republic, but didn't plan on it being so time consuming for me. Did plan the next blog, but found out God had other plans.
We have just about finished the Beth Moore study of James with my church group. I have a friend who says James is her favorite book, and now I know why. I love in depth Bible study. I learn so much. I, too, learned to love James. So......I planned this next blog to be a celebration of the main things I learned from that study. Oh well, maybe another time. It fascinates, humbles, and even scares me to realize that the God of the universe cares so much about me and all of you who read this to let me know specifically what He has in mind for us at this particular time. I'm not so sure that even the flu and other distractions may have delayed me to this day and this time for a reason only He knows. At any rate, the plan for this blog changed.
I have come to the realization that, as much as it scares me, I'm afraid our enemy is large and in charge in this world. So many of us are facing trials and tribulations that are varied in strength and longevity. Some are small, and there are some so powerful they can knock you down without you knowing what hit you. I experienced a powerful one like that in recent years, and I have had friends tell me of similar experiences. One particular situation is very close to one many of us have faced. Ever hear of someone being unjustly accused, lied about, or harmed in some unfair way? Someone innocent being hurt by untruths? Chances are it has happened to you or someone you know well. Oh my gosh, that is one of the hardest things to deal with. We want so badly to vindicate ourselves or the loved one...to get the truth out....to make it right. I know when I have faced similar situations, that's what I wanted to do. And it's usually what I did. But it's not what we are called to do.
Of course, our 'life manual' has many references to show us the way in this. Psalms 119:69-71 is one to look to: (NIV)
"Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."
Or from 'The Message':
"The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying. They're as bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best- they forced me to learn from your textbook."
They forced me to learn.......sometimes the very hardest situations teach us the most valuable lessons. Would we learn them the easy way? I doubt I would . I'm one of those kids in the family that has to learn every lesson the hard way. And, being the loving father He is, God will go to any length to do what's best for us. He loves us that much.
So anyway, I don't know what your plans are, but mine are to learn all I can so that I don't have to have too many more hard lessons. Next time we will look at the instructions we've been given when faced with this kind of difficult situation.......that is unless God has other plans!
We have just about finished the Beth Moore study of James with my church group. I have a friend who says James is her favorite book, and now I know why. I love in depth Bible study. I learn so much. I, too, learned to love James. So......I planned this next blog to be a celebration of the main things I learned from that study. Oh well, maybe another time. It fascinates, humbles, and even scares me to realize that the God of the universe cares so much about me and all of you who read this to let me know specifically what He has in mind for us at this particular time. I'm not so sure that even the flu and other distractions may have delayed me to this day and this time for a reason only He knows. At any rate, the plan for this blog changed.
I have come to the realization that, as much as it scares me, I'm afraid our enemy is large and in charge in this world. So many of us are facing trials and tribulations that are varied in strength and longevity. Some are small, and there are some so powerful they can knock you down without you knowing what hit you. I experienced a powerful one like that in recent years, and I have had friends tell me of similar experiences. One particular situation is very close to one many of us have faced. Ever hear of someone being unjustly accused, lied about, or harmed in some unfair way? Someone innocent being hurt by untruths? Chances are it has happened to you or someone you know well. Oh my gosh, that is one of the hardest things to deal with. We want so badly to vindicate ourselves or the loved one...to get the truth out....to make it right. I know when I have faced similar situations, that's what I wanted to do. And it's usually what I did. But it's not what we are called to do.
Of course, our 'life manual' has many references to show us the way in this. Psalms 119:69-71 is one to look to: (NIV)
"Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."
Or from 'The Message':
"The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying. They're as bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best- they forced me to learn from your textbook."
They forced me to learn.......sometimes the very hardest situations teach us the most valuable lessons. Would we learn them the easy way? I doubt I would . I'm one of those kids in the family that has to learn every lesson the hard way. And, being the loving father He is, God will go to any length to do what's best for us. He loves us that much.
So anyway, I don't know what your plans are, but mine are to learn all I can so that I don't have to have too many more hard lessons. Next time we will look at the instructions we've been given when faced with this kind of difficult situation.......that is unless God has other plans!
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