🟥 Proverbs 3:5ESV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
🔴Unknown Plans
My cousin was turning 14, and we wanted to surprise her! We decided not to tell my siblings, because as you know, children can handle surprises like you can carry water in a net. My mom had it all mapped out. I would take the kids out of the house, and she would arrange the surprise party. I would return the kids home to a celebration they would enjoy!
That was the plan. But…
My younger sister, age 12, had an opportunity to join friends for a youth church event. She was thrilled and asked our mother for permission to attend. Not wanting to ruin the surprise, my mother tenderly replied, “I need you at the house with me that day. You won’t be able to go.” (Col.4:6)
My sister didn’t understand why mom replied that way, and she walked away, shocked at the denial, almost in tears.
Later that night, I went to mom’s house, and we carried through with our plan. The surprise turned out magnificent! Our cousin was amazed, as were my siblings. We had a fun party, ate great food, laughed, and savored the moment!
Only then, at the party, did everything make sense to my sister.
Our mom ever so kindly asked, “Now do you understand why I needed you here? We wanted you to be part of the celebration.”
My sister, grinning from ear to ear, replied, “WOW! It makes so much sense now! I’m so glad you didn’t let me go to the event. This is way better!”
My mom, with a little smirk on her face, asked, “Weren’t you pleasantly surprised?”
I sat back and listened. Then I immediately got a revelation: this exact scenario is carried out in Christians’ lives each day. (Proverbs 4:7)
- We ask God for something.
- He answers, “Not right now.”
- We get upset, throw a tantrum, ‘vent’ to others.
In our limited understanding, we don’t realize God has a grander plan in progress. He has surprises lined up that are better than we can imagine.
Will you trust God’s plans?
God does a lot of work behind the scene. We only see our current circumstances. If my sister had decided to rebel against our mother and go to the youth group event instead of staying at home, she would have missed out on the celebration.
What will you never get to experience because you choose disobedience?
The Lord wanted me to leave you with this. These are the words that He spoke to me for this devotional:
“The plans that I have for you, saith the Lord. I will uphold you with my right hand. I will lead, guide, care, and have your best interest at heart.
Confide in Me. Trust in Me. I will never leave you alone. I will never forsake you. You are my beloved. You can trust in Me.”
Jesus loves you so much. He’s working on your behalf. Even when you can’t see it, He’s working. Trust His unknown plans.
~Stephanie Bright
Stephanie Bright CEO of Christian Girls P.O.P
This devotional was written by Stephanie Bright a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose®. Edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
© Torrie Slaughter, LLC; Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose®
