I just read Bridge to Haven, a book by Francine Rivers, in which she begins each chapter with a quotation. The one that stood out to me was, “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21, NASB)
For those who know me well, it will be of no surprise that this verse would grab my attention. I’m a consummate planner.
I checked-out the verse in different Bible translations and crossed referenced it. The Bible’s bottom line seems to be that the plans of man may or may not come to fruition; but God’s plans always do. With this information, who would rely on their own agenda? I’m afraid that would be most of us, myself included.
For a month I had been praying for God’s feedback about leaving a group that I had attended twice a month for a year. Even searching for an answer in my daily Bible reading gave me no clear direction.
This was frustrating! Was my wanting to leave the group from God or my own willfulness? I know all too well how I can deceive myself into believing my will is God’s. So I fell back on the guidelines for knowing God’s will from a resource that I have found reliable over the years. They are in a portion of the book Created for Commitment by A. Wetherell Johnson.
Ms. Johnson wrote that she looked for three confirmations in order to make sure that she didn’t confuse God’s answer with her own desires. “First, confirmation may come as one reads God’s Word, or a text comes to mind as one prays … (a) second confirmation comes from sound reasoning. God does not bypass our intellect and common sense in making decisions.” Her third confirmation was a deep sense of peace when considering one choice over others. (pages 358 – 361)
On the morning of the next group meeting, I had confirmation and peace about leaving; but I was concerned about how the group members would receive my decision. I had to put that concern aside and leave the results of my decision with God. When I explained my thinking to the ladies, they were gracious and didn’t express any negative feelings.
It has been a few weeks now. I’m still at peace and I’m seeing why God led me to the decision that I made. It took a step of faith to get here. But after all, isn’t that the way He wants us to walk, by faith, step by little step.
God is a loving Father who delights in our baby steps of faith. He longs to teach us to walk with Him.
My confidence to take steps of faith comes from knowing that, even if I step out of His will, He can correct my direction and will use those steps for good.
What plans, goals, choices or new directions are you facing? Be sure to check in with God to determine what He has in mind for you in these areas? Remember only His plans are guaranteed to be fruitful.