UNPLANNED…UNEXPECTED

When I wake up in the morning I usually have at least a general idea of the plan for the day.  Most days go as planned but some days it just doesn’t happen as I thought it would.

Could be a call comes for me to go pick up one of the grandchildren at work or practice.  It could be bigger like the water tank goes out or bigger still like hubby calls and says to meet him at the emergency room.

What’s your unplanned, unexpected event?  Unexpected bills, an appliance stops working, unsettling news from the doctor, your spouse is suddenly done with the marriage, your car breaks down, your little one gets sick in the night…

One never knows what the day will bring.  What do you do when these times come?

Personally, my first instinct is to pray.  More often than not it will be as simple as “Lord, please help me.” or simply “Help!”

The good news is that God hears and responds quickly to these short direct prayers.  Things can be put into perspective (God’s perspective), priorities can be set (God’s direction), the best course of action can be chosen (God’s wisdom) and emotions gotten under control (God’s peace). The unplanned, unexpected event can be handled one step at a time with a gentle and quiet spirit.

1 Peter 3:4New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

How is this possible?

Because I believe…

Psalm 139 tells me that God knows everything about me.  He knows when I sit down or stand up. He knows my thoughts. He knows what I am going to say before I say it. He sees and knows everything I do. He is always with me. He knew what was going to happen every day in my life even before I was born.

So you see, anything of those unplanned, unexpected things that happen are only unplanned and unexpected by me.  God is not taken by surprise when they happen.  He has a plan and a purpose.

God is in control of all things at all times.

Psalm 103:19 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁹ The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.

Nothing happens in my world unless God allows it too.  I always picture a circle with a dot in the middle.  That circle is God’s wall of permission.  Nothing can get though that wall to me (the dot) unless God first says ok.

I believe His allowing something means that He surely has a plan and a purpose for whatever is happening or is going to happen.  He will prepare me and equip me for it.  It is basically an opportunity to trust Him more and grow to know Him better.

God loves me with an unending and unconditional love and God is a good God who wants the best for me.  He has a plan for me.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We can trust our awesome God with the unplanned and unexpected – NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

Alfred Ackley wrote the lyrics to He Lives!

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

Refrain:
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Do you know my Jesus?  Do you know my Awesome God?