Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

God Willing

By Guest Blogger July 13, 2007 Character, Faith, Life, Motherhood

13Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. –James 4: 13-17

This is one of the first verses I found way back when I was a baby Christian (the first I memorized was Joshua 1:9 –that whole fear thing was a BIG issue in my life.)  Being in control was another big issue.  I wanted to plan my days then have them go as I planned.  I would get angry at anyone and everyone who stood in the way of those plans.

This was a bit of a problem because I wasn’t a good planner.  First, I often neglected to mention my plans to anyone else.  I liked to surprise people and more often than not I was the one who was surprised when things didn’t go my way. Also, I was a manipulator-I did whatever it took to get my way, and too often people caught on and would deliberately go another.  Last, I was engaged to a guy (now my husband) who didn’t follow the rules.  He hadn’t been brought up that you do what you say when you say you will or that you call if you can’t–he also handled my manipulations by agreeing then doing his own thing. More than once I was left standing at the window, waiting for him to show up.  When he did I would go and throw a temper tantrum like an angry 2 year old.

Praise the Lord that He got a hold of me and taught me that my ways are not His ways.  Now I find myself trying to train my eldest, the “my way or the highway” kid, that she can only plan something if God is willing.

This week we have been preparing for a trip, a trip that we still don’t know if it is God’s will.  We are waiting and trusting that if it is God’s will several things will fall into place.  So far everything has.  I refuse to say that we are definitely going, though if we are we have to leave tomorrow.  I keep reminding them that it is up to God and it is completely in His hands.  We will do what is needed to prepare to go–in case He says yes, but I am not going to drive for 7 hours with 3 kids in the car without His blessing.   My eldest is watching to see how I handle it, knowing that I have said over and over that is is only “God willing” and not a plan.

I am still not sure if we will go but I do know that we will be in His will and being in His will is more important than any trip we could take.

How are your plans?  Are they your own or are you waiting on God and giving Him the final say?   Place your plans in His hands and then you can say, “God willing we will”.  God is good and He wants to give you His best–don’t get in the way.

Lord, you are so mighty and awesome.  Thank you that You care about our every activity and have plans for us so that we don’t have to organize our every moment.  Lord we place this day in Your very capable hands.  Lord, plan our days, get us where you want us, and give us wisdom as we go about doing Your will.  In Jesus precious name, Amen.  

3 thoughts on “God Willing”

  1. Faerylandmom

    I am learning this (kind of) the hard way. Every time something happens that frustrates me and my plans (I cannot find the key to my van), the Lord keeps whispering “I have a reason even for this.” It’s so hard to swallow my pride and be cheerful, knowing that God is working for something…