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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FLEXIBLE (07/09/20)
Recently a few of us from church got together for a men’s breakfast on a patio outside a local restaurant. It was yet another reflection of how we as the body of Christ are learning to do church differently in light of the current state of our world. Aptly, the theme of our discussion was the importance of aligning our plans with the will of God. As our leader spoke, I was reminded of the phrase, “if you want to hear God laugh, tell Him your plans.” I don’t believe I have ever lived in a time when the truth of that phrase has not been so clear. As soon as we make a plan for church, the rules change and we are forced to adapt. Such unpredictability can be quite a challenge, but it can also be an opportunity for God to teach us how to rely on Him every moment of every day. The lesson is not that we should never plan, but that our plans should always be open to change as circumstances dictate.

The occasion when I learned the most about trusting God through changing circumstances was on one of the many short-term mission trips that I had the opportunity to participate in. One of our leaders coined the expression, “blessed are the flexible for they will be bent.” On every trip we found this to be true. We would make plans for our ministry in a particularly location only to find that everything changed when we reached the site. While I can’t say that we never got frustrated, we were human after all, we did learn to adjust our plans to fit the situation we found and trust God to empower us to accomplish His work. As we realized that it was His work and not ours, we became better at relying upon the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives and to accomplish the impossible.

Most of us would say that we enjoy the predictable. By knowing what will happen and when we are able to prepare and be our best. But, life is rarely if ever predictable. Circumstances change and the plans that we made yesterday no longer match the reality that we face today. The ability to modify our plans to match a situation and to rely on God’s power to give us the wisdom and power to minister in an unexpected situation is often the means by which God grows us and makes us more like Him. Learning to adapt reminds us that we are not in control and that our ideas about a situation are not always best. In learning patience and humility we become much better people, open to new ideas, prepared to change as necessary, and more likely to be part of a situation where the kingdom of God is presented and grown for the betterment of all and for the glory of God.
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This article has been read 425 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
07/16/20
Trusting God is so crucial overall for all of our outcomes. Thank you for sharing with us.
I enjoyed your story and message.
Blessings~
Dolores Stohler 
07/16/20
There is so much truth in what you say. Life is unpredictable and we need to be aware of this and be willing to adjust when necessary. Good job!
Barbara Culler 
07/17/20
Sounds like you are a fellow Californian with the church issues!

I understand what you say about the flexibility! My youth pastor's favorite phrase was "Adjust and cooperate," I still remember it all these years later.
Holly Short
07/18/20
I really enjoyed reading your piece and I think it covered the topic very well. Such a timely message!
Debra Brand 
07/20/20
Great wisdom and well put together.
Nancy Sullivan 
07/21/20
You speak so much truth and for such a time as this. Great job.
Tammy Ortung 
07/21/20
Great Piece! What a wonderful example of what walking in faith looks like when we trust and step through the doors God opens instead of trying to make OUR plans. Thanks for sharing.
John Custer
07/21/20
I could relate to this article. Reminds me of the phrase I heard, "Where He leads me I will follow, What He feeds me I will swallow."
LaVonne Wood
07/21/20
Enjoyed your article. My husband is a former military man and plans things right down to the minute. He doesn't take change very well. I on the other hand was raised on the farm where we changed with the weather. As long as we are willing to change when God speaks to us we will be OK. God bless!