It can be unsettling when God changes my plans. Have you ever had God change your plans? How did you respond and what did the Lord teach you through this experience?
As I have been on my faith journey, I have learned that it is not if God will change my plans, but when. As a person I can’t see into the future and don’t know where the path I am on will lead to, but the Lord does. God does not change our plans to make our life more difficult, but He does so because He has more for us.
Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.[1] Paul is telling us that when we let the Lord transform us, we will learn to know God’s will. God’s will for our life is often different than the path we are currently on.
The Lord Changed Philip’s Plans
Philip was enjoying a very successful ministry as an evangelist in Samaria. Acts 8:4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.[2]
When things are going well, we may not realize that God’s plans for our life might suddenly change. God interrupted Philips’ life and set him on a new course. Acts 8:26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” [3] Why would Philip leave a successful ministry to go down to a desert road? In our human thinking, this wouldn’t make sense. But Philip trusted the Lord and immediately obeyed the Lord’s guidance.
In God’s Mercy He Changes Our Plans
Repeatedly in Scripture God has more for people and changes their plans.
- Noah had not planned on building an ark, but God used it to save his family.
- Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh, but God used a large fish to change his mind.
- David probably expected to be a shepherd for life, but he became king.
In just three examples we can see how much better God’s plan was for each person. This also holds true for you! God has more for you, which often takes an adjustment to our journey. How would your life be different today if God had not intervened and changed your plans? If you have never placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior, the Lord is intervening right now as you read this. God has more for you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.[4]
Here what I have learned when God changes my plans:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-philip-the-ethiopian
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html