Hindsight is 20/20 [two]: God’s Plans > My Plans - Ben

Jesus’ first recorded words on earth were, “Why did you seek me?  Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” This quotation is found in Luke 2, and it takes place during the adolescent years of Jesus. 

Admittedly, this particular story has a familiar ring to it.  After all, on its surface, it seems to be about a couple of parents scolding their twelve-year-old for being too independent.  How many of us have a similar story where we, too, were reprimanded for going outside the bounds of what was acceptable?

Personally, I never saw my parents more upset than this one instance when I was 10.  One night in May, my mother had lectured us about not being late as Joe, my older brother, was graduating from high school that evening.  Given that Joe has a learning disability, this was (and still is) a considerable accomplishment.  But like all 10-year-olds who are out with their neighborhood friends, time got away from me.  When I finally did realize that I needed to get home, I discovered that I was too late.  When I hit Talisman Drive, I noticed the driveway of my house was empty.  My family had gone without me.  I can still remember my mother saying later that evening, “I have never been more disappointed in you.” Yes, she turned the deadliest weapon she had against me: mom guilt. Even after 24 years, that wound still aches. 

But the difference between me at 10 and Jesus at 12 is that I was incompetent, whereas Jesus was in complete control.  You see, while that scene in Luke 2 might seem like your typical story of a hormone-crazed-pubescent rebelling against his parents, in reality, it's a story about a boy who wanted nothing more than to be in his Father's house and to be about his Father's business.  Far from being disobedient to Mary and Joseph, Jesus was being obedient to his heavenly Father.  While everyone, including his own parents, did not understand Jesus’ purpose for coming, Jesus never doubted his purpose, even at twelve.  He never once stepped away from his calling.  From the cradle to the cross, he was the Son of God, and he would do what his Father wanted him to do. 

As you look back on 2021, how many regrets do you have?  I know that most, if not all, of the regrets I have, are a direct result of me veering away from God’s plan for my life.  That, unlike Jesus, I was more concerned with my own desires than God’s.  Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take me long before I discovered how utterly ridiculous that kind of thinking was (i.e., “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions.”).  But, goodness, how many times does God have to teach me that His plans are greater (">") than my plans?  Or, how easily I forget how freeing it is to be a part of a calling that is bigger than myself?  In fact, even now, it is difficult to express how liberating it is when you finally divorce yourself from your own importance and are consumed by the importance of God.  Being all about our heavenly Father's business is the single greatest calling we can have for our lives.  

Honestly, this is applicable at every possible level.  But, for the sake of time, I'll give you two examples of how God has applied this truth to my life. 

The Parental Level

By and large, the plans that parents have for their children are almost always good.  But for Christian parents, it is essential to remember that God's plans for each child are always better.  And while this may be difficult for some to hear, this means that God's mission may even override parental mandates. 

Now, I'm quick to remind any readers who are still living under their parent’s roof, you are NOT Jesus.  Jesus had an awareness about himself at twelve that many will not have until they're thirty, and most will not have at all.  So, no, I am not encouraging you to be disobedient or defiant.  The child who obeys their parents will eventually find they're living a life they didn't know they wanted but are nevertheless glad that they live it (cf. Eph. 6:1-3).  Dear teenager, familial guidance has a way of rescuing you from a multitude of heartaches. 

However, to those raising children, it is essential to realize that parenting is as much about leading a child to do the things you want them to do as it is about teaching them to do things that God wants them to do.  Thus, the aim of every parent is not to get their child to listen to their voice only, but it is also to get them to listen to the voice of God (cf. 1 Sam.  3:7-10).  God's plans for our kids are always greater (“>”) than our plans for our kids. 

The Professional Level

So many have consumed their lives trying to get up the corporate ladder.  They fight their way to the “top," only to discover that it's lonely at the top.  Success, of any kind, never really satisfies.  I would wager there has never been a more disappointing achievement than wealth and prestige.  Jesus even said in Mat. 16:26, "what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Meaning, we can spend our entire life “winning” but, in the end, still lose if what we’re after can be attained here on earth. 

This is NOT to say that success in one's professional life is wrong.  It is good that whatever we do, we do it with excellence, and, typically, excellence is rewarded with promotions.  So long as we do what we do in service to the Lord, it is a good thing (cf. Col. 3:17).  But the point I’m trying to make is the very same one that DL Moody made over two hundred years ago when he said, “Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn't really matter.” 

However you slice it, God's plans > our plans. As you look forward into 2022, make an effort to adopt God’s will for your life. Mark my words, any who do so will have the greatest year of their lives.