Things do not always go as we have planned, but even though they do not go according to our plan, they may still be according to God’s plan – a while ago we purchased a computer for the church online – when it arrived, it would not work… we decided to stay positive and drove 20 miles to return it to the local department store – after driving, standing in line and finally getting to the counter, they would not accept the return – after speaking to a manager, they would still not let us return their broken computer and wanted us to deal with the online department – with our feathers slightly ruffled at the incompetence of the staff, we made our way back to the car.
What I did not tell you is, while we were waiting in line, someone called out my name – as I looked up, there was a precious soul that I had not seen in a long time – I ended up ministering to him, and after leaving the store, I got to minister to him again – the anointing flowed powerfully and he and his family were greatly blessed. We thought that we were driving to the other side of the island to return an online purchase, but we actually drove all the way out there to minister to someone in great need of our ministry.
As a believer, your steps are ordered by the Lord – even if things do not go according to your plan, they probably did go according to God’s plan… in Jeremiah 29:11, the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you” – He does not say “you know the plans I have for you” – now, He does show us some of what He has planned, but not always all that He has planned. The Lord plans everything around the needs of His kingdom – He may send you on what looks like a detour, just so that He can minister to one! It may not even seem significant to you, or in some cases, you may not even notice or know what your assignment was, but there is always an assignment!
The Lord could have you drive 50 miles just to shake someone’s hand, or for your shadow to fall on someone – Jesus perceived that virtue went out of Him when the woman touched the edge of His garment… He was so sensitive to the anointing that He noticed it, but, we may not notice things like that – The anointing does not just sit in you dormant – the bible says that ‘rivers’ of living water stream out of your innermost being. How many have been healed by your touch, how many have been delivered by your shadow, how many have received a miracle through a hug? The answer is, we won’t know unless it is divinely revealed and unless we are tuned in to what the Lord is doing.
Do not get discouraged if things break, if things get off track, if things take you on a detour, or if things do not go according to your plan… look for the assignment of the Lord in all things!
By the way, a couple of days later, we drove to a different branch of the same department store, and they accepted the return and refunded the money, no questions asked – the same day, the Lord laid it on someone’s heart to bless the church with a better than we had purchased. It was never really about the computer… it was about the assignments of the Lord on the way to receiving the computer. Life is not about your job, your company, your responsibilities… life is about the needs of the kingdom – to live is Christ…
The Lord’s plans for your life definitely include you being blessed, but His blessings will come to you and overtake you as you are living your life according to His purpose and plan - you never need to pursue your own blessings or run after your desires… your desires will run after you and overtake in pursuit of God’s plan!
Blessings on you, Nick
