Devotions

DEVOTION BY MARK FUGATE

There has been a Change of Plans

I don’t know how those words hit you but I’ve never been a fan.  I’m a planner, I’m meticulous, I’m OCD, many would say I’m a controller – I just want to be prepared.  But if I really had to try and capsule how I feel about planning I would say it this way….I hate to plan – but I hate even more not having a plan – so I plan. These last several months have put any planning we have done on hold.  You talk about the phrase – “there has been a change of plans” – man is that true.  We could have never planned for this.  In college literature we learned the line…

• The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry

Do you know where that comes from?  It’s the title for John Steinbechs book of mice and men inspired by a poem written by Robert Burns.  The poem was about a man who was plowing his ground and he uncovered a nest of mice and he starts talking to them and explaining how sorry he is that he dislodged their home.  Then he says the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  If a literary quote doesn’t get the point across how about this one from Mike Tyson who I’m pretty sure never wrote poetry.

• Mike Tyson – “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”.

Actually when it comes to talk of planning the best place to go for a quote and advice is the Bible – and Solomon in his wisdom wrote….

• Proverbs 3:5 – 6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding – in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

Cancer shows up out of the blue – how do you plan for that?  The kid you thought was doing great in school is flunking out and fighting an addiction.  How do you plan for that?  One slip in the bath tub – one reaction to medication – one bite gets caught in your throat – one tornado picks your house – one virus spreads to your community.  And since I can’t plan for those, I trust the one who made plans for me.  Since I can’t see what will happen tomorrow,  I will trust the one who gives me tomorrow.  I am responsible for obedience, God is responsible for outcome.  That’s what I’m planning on.