Have you ever had plans for your life that ended up not working out?
My plan as a young girl was to be a singer/actress. My summers involved musicals and rock bands. I loved being on stage and in the spotlight.
An opportunity arose when I was 15 years old. I had the chance to attend a prestigious camp to further my skills and career. My parents signed me up and I was ready to go.
And…
Then I met a boy, “fell in love,” and decided to skip camp to hang out with him. We broke up a few years later.
This changed the trajectory of my life.
I’d sometimes wonder what things would’ve been like if I had gone to that camp.
That wasn’t the plan for my life.
We tend to make plans according to our desires and needs; “I want… I want to be…” Sometimes we make plans based on what others desire for us. Mom might encourage marriage to a specific person. Dad wants you to take over the family business. We are blinded by our fleshly desires, so much so that we forget to consult with God about his plans for our lives.
God gives us freedom of choice. My choices may have put me on an alternate route, but God’s will prevailed.
Have you recently made a decision or plan that didn’t pan out? We’ve all been there. Here are some things that might help:
- Surrender your will (if this is a struggle for you, pray for the desire to do so)
- Pray for wisdom for your future and choices
- Be aware of his presence and promptings
- Trust that God’s plans are better than yours
What plans in your life turned out differently than you thought they would?