So how did that work out, I’m sure you’re dying to know? Oh, just right according to my perfect plan! NOT. My sweet, forgetful third person promptly proceeded to deliver said news literally hours after I’d gone over the game plan with him on Sunday afternoon. (The plan which was, remember, to spill the beans on Wednesday.) My carefully aligned plan of action went down in flames. But guess what? The recipient of the news, who I was so worried would get worked up by this information, did not get angered, stressed, frazzled, annoyed or defensive at all. She loved it, supported it, and showed an unexpected amount of excitement! 

I sat on her couch just shaking my head and internally laughing, realizing yet again that my best made plans are so fragile and futile in the presence of the Almighty Creator of every person, plan, plot and scheme. As I fretted and stewed about how best to deliver my potentially upsetting news, surely He was watching with a smile, knowing that He had this all worked out and everything would be totally fine. 

My silly little situation reminds me of when Joseph was stuck in an Egyptian prison (though innocent, see Genesis 39), and he had figured out a perfect plan for getting himself freed. As he interpreted dreams for a baker and a cupbearer, Joseph prophesied that, according to one dream, the cupbearer would soon be released from prison and restored to his former position. He told the cupbearer: 

“Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” -Genesis 40:13-15

Joseph had a plan! He helped the cupbearer out by interpreting his dream, and when the cupbearer was put back into his previous position, he would talk to Pharaoh about Joseph, and Pharaoh would remember Joseph and release him from prison. Sounds like a pretty good plan to me!

But God had a different plan for Joseph. For reasons unknown, He kept Joseph in the prison for a while longer—until it was His perfect time to release Joseph from bondage. The cupbearer forgot about Joseph after he was freed, and it wasn’t until two years later that he remembered Joseph when Pharaoh had one of his own dreams that needed interpreting. This started a chain of events that quickly elevated Joseph from prisoner to being second in command over all of Egypt. 

God’s timing and ways may be mysterious sometimes, but His timing and His ways are best all the time. And while He calls us to live with wise planning and careful stewardship of what He’s given us, God also calls us to trust in Him above all. We can and should make plans for our present and future, but as we do, we must remember that our intentions and aspirations are to be held loosely. On the other hand, we tightly grip onto the Lord, trusting that He will guide our steps firmly in the right direction. At times, this might mean we get to see the plans we made come to fruition. How fun! But at times, we might see God’s better plans push our ideas to the side. When this happens, God only has our good in mind. 

So plan, plan, plan away! Plan out your monthly budget, your career path, your family’s yearly calendar and your next travel adventure. Plan ahead for retirement, for home ownership, and for your physical and mental health. But as you plan, hold your proposals loosely. Ask God to keep your eyes fixed on Him. Ask Him to help you desire what He desires for you. Tell Him regularly that you submit to His plans for your life, and thank Him for taking your hand and guiding you in the right direction. Always. 

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. -Proverbs 16:3

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. -Proverbs 16:9