HELEN SANDERS
10-17-2021
GOD’S PLAN NOT OURS

It is very easy to get into a position of comfort. Perhaps you have worked all of your life and retirement has come. Perhaps you have your home paid for and now you have plans to travel or maybe get involved more in your community. This is all well and good if it is God’s plan, but if it isn’t, then things will not go well.

I do not see anywhere in the scripture where anyone “retired.” They worked for the Lord as individuals or in their local church until God called them home. None of the disciples retired. They served God knowing that their service for the Savior would be rewarded when they “went to be” with Jesus in heaven.

That leads to Russell and me. When we closed our thrift shop and church in a local strip mall, we didn’t know what exactly was next. We brought our church into our home for two months, but we both felt it was time to release it. It didn’t mean that we weren’t pastors anymore, but that it was time to give it up for a season. We visited many local churches for about five months then God called me back to preach on Sunday mornings via the internet.

About the same time God said to put out this newsletter daily to teach and equip the saints. Since studying and preaching the word of God is my passion, I was just fine with that. We had our first ministry school going for almost two years, so we continued with that also with several students. Some came to the school in person and others came by the internet.

Then two months later God told me to start teaching 7 days a week. At first, I said, “you said what?” I had no idea that COVID19 would bring lockdown to the world and our teaching would bring encouragement to many that listened and watched over the internet. This was all God’s plan. Not our plan. We are thankful for going with God because many lives have been touched.

The Apostle Paul thought he was doing God a favor by raising havoc to the early Church, but when he encountered God, his path went 180° in the other direction. It was God’s plan, not his but he was obedient to the call.

What about you? Are you going with God’s plan even if you are over 60? What about God’s plan when you are young? One of the worst things that happened was when Lucifer said, “I will” instead of saying “thy will.” You will never be too old to have a plan when God is in your life my friends. Be willing and obedient and you will live a life with no regrets.

As for Russell and me, we will continue doing what we are doing as long as God is in it. We may miss a few issues because of a move from our home of 12 years, because there will be a lot of work to do. It wasn’t our plan to move at the beginning of 2021, but God arranged everything that is happening, and we know that it is His plan. We are making His plan our plan as I write this. I pray that you do the same. His plan is always the best plan.