For I know the plans I have for you...

I’m actually very embarrassed to share this story, but it did inspire this blog post so here it goes:

I did my driver’s license almost two weeks ago and guess what? I failed. If that wasn’t bad enough, I literally failed in the first 30 seconds on my first parking because I hit into a pole. Only once before have I hit into something while driving and that was someone’s fence in my complex (in my defence, I had just started driving and hadn’t really mastered the art of reversing yet…).

I was honestly so ready to do my license, and I was nervous, but also super confident because I was a pro at parking and I had eventually gotten the hang of doing all the checks and handbrake starts and all that other stuff that normal drivers stop doing as soon as they get their license.
And wow did I pray! I got my prayer groups to pray, I got my grandparents’ small group to pray, my friends and family were praying, and I was praying throughout the day. I honestly felt so confident and ready. But then D-Day came and I got into the car and I went BLANK. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt that way? Maybe in a test or interview, you feel prepared but then it happens and you’re sitting there with your brain deciding to take a quick vacation to Hawaii without you.

I was so, so angry at myself and disappointed. I like to achieve, and when I don’t, I get very irritated with myself. And to be completely honest, I was even a little irritated with God. I mean I prayed; isn’t God supposed to answer prayers?

But then I clicked.

God does answer prayers, however it isn’t always in the way that you’d like them to be answered, and God’s plan for your life may not necessarily be your plan for your life.

I can tell you right now, so far God’s plan for my life isn’t exactly what I imagined it to be when I first became a Christian. I thought I’d never have another worry again, I’d be happy all the time, I’d wake up feeling God’s presence in powerful ways every day and then go to bed having had an amazing day in which I’d appreciate everything that happened because my God gave me that day.
That was my ideal, but my reality is a lot different. I still worry all the time (at this rate, I will probably look all wrinkly by the time I’m 21), I’m not happy all the time, I go through phases when I don’t necessarily feel God, and I don’t always have good days- sounds pretty horrible, right?

NO!

Life isn’t the ideal you always imagine it to be; but with God, IT IS SO MUCH BETTER, even if you don’t always realise it. For example, I remember that when I first moved to Durban, I honestly didn’t enjoy it at all. I just wanted to go back to Joburg and be near my old friends and my family. I wondered why God would let me be in this situation and why I had to move to Durban of all places- I mean it’s awesome for holidays, but to live there?! However, after I had adjusted to the relaxed vibe and very English way of pronouncing ‘fish’, ‘Kloof’ and ‘hill’, I actually ended up loving it, especially the beach. I’m so glad I live here now, and to be honest, I’m soooooo sad to leave next year! Although moving here may have not been my own plan for my life, God had a different idea and it all worked out for the best.

Isaiah 55:8 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.”

I just think that verse is absolutely awesome! God doesn’t think the same way we do, His ways (i.e. manner or characteristics) are not the same as ours. This is just so reassuring; I mean imagine God always acted the same way we did. If He acted like a proper female, He’d have probably made all rivers chocolate (although that seems wonderful, just think how gross it would be- anyone could bath in the chocolate rivers or animals could die in it and all that… ew…), and although the world may then be neat and orderly, there would be about a week once a month where you’d probably want to remain indoors…
And if God acted like a typical male, the only thing we’d be allowed to watch would be sport-related and the average human diet would consist of biltong, boerewors and beer!

Then we get Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.

God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, so naturally He’d be able to do more than we could do, to form things we never thought possible. “For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37.

Now although you may not know what God’s plan for your life is, and even though life may not be going the way you’d necessarily like it to be going, just remember:

Jeremiah 29:11, “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.”

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 58:11, “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

God knows what you’re going through, He knows EXACTLY how you feel. But we have to remember that even though things are uncertain now, or even though you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing or you don’t like how things are working out, God will allow it to work out for good and in the best possible way, you just have to trust Him. He will guide you and help you and show you the way to go.

I saw a picture once that said God’s 3 answers to prayers were “Yes”, “No” or “I’ve got something better in mind”. If you’re praying for something and it you aren’t getting it, remember that God may just have a different plan in store for you, a better plan. Also, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” If something isn’t happening now or isn’t going to plan now, remember that there is a time for everything. Maybe now is just not the right time for it to happen, so don’t let it worry you too much.

Lastly, remember that it is essential to spend time with God and in His Word, it is the best way to hear and learn what God has in store for you and why what you’re praying for may not be working out right now. I believe there is a lesson to be learnt in everything. With me failing my driver’s license, I learnt a few personal lessons that I can now implement into my life and that can help me to become a better me.

God’s Word is a lamp for your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105), it isn’t a spotlight to tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. We have freedom of choice and we do have a big say in how our future will end up, so it’s okay not to know what to do and it’s okay if things may not be working out just as you planned. However, if you want your future to be the absolute best it can be, allow God to take your hand and lead the way.

“God has a perfect plan for us. He never does it all at once, just step by step, because He wants to teach us to walk by faith and not by sight.” (iBelieve.com)

So get ready, strap in, and trust God; you’ll go places you never even imagined, reach heights you never even thought possible. And remember, it’s often the times where we don’t have everything planned out that the best memories are made.