Time is such a valuable commodity. My meticulous-planning personality helps me capture time for those things I feel are important. Early in our marriage, Pamela and I struggled over the issue of how best to plan. I was very happy to have Pamela plan her life into MY calendar – weeks, months and even years in advance. This worked well for me but not for Pamela.
Could this possibly be the way I also operate with God? I meticulously plan my life with God in mind but without talking to him and considering His plans. I even have the audacity to ask Him to bless MY plans.
Nehemiah got it right. While in exile in Babylon, he heard about the troubled and disgraced remnant of Jews and the destruction of Jerusalem. He prayed and prepared and then he waited for God’s time to act. When the King of Babylon gave Nehemiah permission to go Jerusalem, he executed the plan that had resulted from his prayer life. (Nehemiah 1 and 2).
On the other hand, Abraham and Sarah gladly accepted God's covenant promise and plan for them. But when the timing of God's plans did not fit Abraham’s and Sarah’s expectations, they devised their own plan and executed it. The results were disastrous. (Genesis 15 and 16)
I think I am learning that praying and preparing, then waiting for God’s timing is better than MY “strategic planning”. This is hard to do! Will you join me on the journey?
Sharing the journey with you,
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