Strange Coincidences
Today was to be a quiet day. Intentions were to withdraw and work on a book Laila and I are writing.
A phone call -- a sudden trip resulted in a further trip. Near the church office it seemed prudent to check my desk for any items that might need my attention and be helpful to the staff.
In a thoughtful moment of appreciation to the pastoral staff, it occurred to me that leaving them an email would be a good idea. The last part of my thoughts was to remind them that careful planning is important; attitude is important, and rest is important. Finally, it seemed wise to remind them that having done all to plan, there must always be the “oops” factor: things that happen without notice to change our schedule and life.
Just as I was typing the last note and thinking of getting home by 8 a.m., my cell phone rang. It was none other than a call requesting emergency assistance for an elderly parishioner -- nothing to do but go. I do not remember if I even sent the email to the staff.
“The best laid plans of mice and men are oft laid aft,” wrote a poet. The Bible puts it another way: Man plans, but God orders the steps(Proverbs 16:9).
God’s plans for our lives are not always shared with us in advance. Because we are human, we wish God would tell us what He is doing. However, just yesterday Laila and I were talking with our youngest son, Josh, about how God works. We came to Covenant Church September 1, 1981 with plans to pastor for a couple of years.
If God had told us in 1981 that we were going to be in Charlottesville for 24 years, we would likely have rebelled. Our dreams were otherwise. Little did we know that God had a better plan for us. We cannot imagine any life for us that would have been more rewarding than being pastor of Covenant Church and living in Charlottesville.
Oh, do not be mistaken by assuming that we have had no challenges. There is another equation of the “oops” factor. The devil has no rights to the lives of Christians, but he does drop in surprises from hell. Now, please, I will not elevate myself to assume that the devil has ever paid me a personal visit. He is a finite being limited in time and space who can only be one place at a time. I opine that he spends his time on larger scale projects than working with an individual of my status.
However, there are demons employed in his hellish schemes. It may be that a demon of hell has been by to try and mess up my life. I think so. There have been times when I felt confident the battle was with dark forces of hell.
Of this I am sure: There have been times when people who have willingly sacrificed themselves to hellish schemes have tried to throw “oops” factors into my life. Oh, yes, just when it seemed that a good plan would unfold great victories for Jesus, an “oops” demon intervened.
I am not sure what you will do with this article, but my hope is that you will give careful consideration to the fact that God will never tell you all the details of the future. God will reserve the right to change your plans as it best suits His plans. Other people, perhaps innocently, will change your plans. Other people, perhaps demonically, will change your plans. Think about all the lives, including Christians, that have been changed by the madness of Saddam Hussein.
Let us come to a conclusion. Live this day to the best of your ability. Do not set up hard and fast parameters that would prevent God’s injecting His better plan for your life. Do spend time planning ahead to be sure that when negatives are inserted into your life, you are anchored in Bible truth and faith in Jesus to be steady in time of storm.
God will never hold against you what others do to you. He will hold you responsible for your own behavior.
Thoughtfully,
Pastor Bare
Romans 14:12