My plans and His plans
Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see. Martin Luther
If all goes as planned, by the time this devotion posts my family and I will be on our yearly vacation at Walt Disney World. Just a few months ago we were not sure that we would even be able to take the trip. My husband’s company is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and with the real estate market faltering, there is no guarantee that the company will recover.
The US economy continues to get worse. Just this week huge companies have filed bankruptcy or been rescued by massive bailouts. If we are left to reason whether to save our money and not go based on today’s economy – we have been given enough reason to cancel the trip!
Here I go again – trusting in the money we have saved away rather than placing my trust in God. I have a fear of trusting God with our finances.
As a family, we try hard to be good stewards with the financial resources God has granted us. Yes, we have a savings that we would very likely have to rely on in the event of a layoff. However, we saved separately for this Disney trip. We made sacrifices all year long in preparation for the trip. We made decisions not to buy certain things here and there and put that money towards the trip. So apart from savings, we have saved specifically for Disney. Still, fear of an uncertain future led us to want to hang on to that money as well.
Then this past Sunday at church, a couple gave their testimony about the loss of a young daughter just a few short years ago. As I sat in that service and listened to their tearful testimony, I realized just how fragile life is. I thought about all my fretting and worrying over finances and how short my time with my own children really is. I pondered how guilty I would feel if something unexpected happened to one of my children and we didn’t take a vacation together. They are only young once and I want to enjoy every moment I have with them and trust that God is perfectly capable of handling my mere finances. After all, everything is His anyway.
Now I am not advocating reckless spending or debt just to have fancy vacations (or material things for that matter either). However, when you have a plan in place to save for something and you reach that goal – I think (for the most part – I’m sure there are exceptions) it is OK to have a little fun.
In God’s word, Paul exhorts us to keep our minds on higher things. Hebrews 3:1 says,
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Colossians 3:2 says,
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
This life is temporary. The cost to follow Christ can be high. Yet, when God allows blessings to come into our lives, we should enjoy them. Obviously, this is as much for me as for anyone else because I struggle with this. Yet, I am learning. I am learning that it is OK to enjoy life, enjoy my children, enjoy Disney World and still be a faithful steward to the resources God has given me and my family. I pray you too will find joy and peace in allowing God to be fully in control.
Dear gracious heavenly father, thank you for your everlasting love and mercy you have show me and my family. I pray you would give me continued peace about financial choices I prayerfully make and seek your guidance in all I do. Help me to trust you always knowing everything belongs to you. I love you and seek to continue to be a faithful steward. In Jesus name, Amen.
You are right — times are uncertain right when it comes to jobs and even our financial situations. God will always be there to see us through – He will provide – I know that from personal experience.
I am glad you made the trip and I am sure you are having fun 🙂
Be blessed today and always…
Its so hard to trust God with finances – isn’t it? I think its where people have the hardest time. We so want to be in control of our money. I think when you bring up “tithing” – people get WEIRDED out!
Good for you though for enjoying the blessings that God gave you! Have a wonderful time! God still wants you to have fun & enjoy every minute He gives you!!!
That is so well said. We learned, during a time of real testing, that the Lord keeps His promises to His children. When we should have had no money at all, He provided with more than we needed (in such wonderful ways).
I think you are right. We must cherish each day.
Renee, one of my favorite sayings….”Never doubt in the darkness what the Lord has given you in the light.” If you know without a doubt He was in this from the start, then go for it! I pray you all are having a blast this week!
Be blessed.