Friday, January 9, 2009

SOAP No. 17: The Man with the plan

Scripture: David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. – 2 Samuel 5:4

Observation: Saul and three of his sons had died during a fight with the Philistines, and as the house of Saul continued to bicker and fight among themselves, David’s house grew. He was made king over Israel.

Application: What really struck me about this statement was the age. David was THIRTY years old. I’m 25 right now, but when I picture myself in David’s shoes, I cannot imagine ruling a nation in five years. I’m not mature enough. I’m not smart enough. I don’t want that responsibility. It seems crazy to me – but it was all in God’s plan.

A lot of times when God tells me, “Hey, why don’t you do this?” I do a little mental double take and respond with, “Are you SERIOUS? Do you know what could or what will happen?” And then He replies, “Yes. I do.”

Oh, yeah…

I’m reaching out of my comfort zone more and more each day, which has been my prayer for some time. I like life. I like my little bubble. I don’t like being uncomfortable – but that’s not what God has called me to do.

God’s plan does not always seem like my plan – you know, the ten year track that I have planned out basically month by month. I started planning it when I got married, and guess what? I haven’t stayed on course at all, but the course I had laid out was not HALF as blessed as the one God led me down.

In case you’re feeling God prod at you to do something and you’re doing the same double take I like to do, just remember: God is smarter than all of us. God knows our maturity level and our responsibility level. And if He tells you to lead or to speak or to pray – as the old TV show goes, Father knows best.

Prayer: God, when You call, I want to answer. I want to be the person You need me to be. I have been placed here, in this town, surrounded by these people, with this job for a reason – Your reason. Please help me remember that sometimes Your timing may not correlate with mine, but as You know the past, present, and future, I will always trust in You. You know what is best for me and my family, and You do have a plan for me that is better than any I could attempt – thank You for loving me.

9 comments:

misti said...

I love David...he was such a screw-up and so human, but God still used him in a huge way (which is comforting to me as a fellow screw-up!). Anyway - I like reading your David blogs. =)

Growin' With It said...

*gulp*, *sigh*, good post!

Mari said...

Oh yes - I get this. I'm 48 and can't imagine doing what David did. Isn't it reassuring to know that when God calls us to do something, He empowers us too?

Brooke said...

better than knowing where we are, he knows what we're capable of.

and yikes - i'm just a year and a half away from 30!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the note on new book. Let me know if you enjoy. g

Ok, do I have this right? You're 25 years old and you are a professor. And if so, how's that for stepping out??

Anonymous said...

Ok, I get it. Sounds awesome. Keep pressing on and keep me posted on your book ok.
g

Carrie said...

We made a decision recently that for the last couple weeks has been bothering me, in that we should reconsider the decision - which will make us be completely out of any known comfort zone!!! I am confident that the niggling in my brain is God trying to push us down another path. Your post today helped me to realize that.

Carrie said...

Oh yeah, and I have noticed that you have been following my blog so I wanted to let you know that I have changed the blog address. You might have to update your following links?? Here is the link
Blessed Chaos

MInTheGap said...

It is fascinating to think that God's plans usually require seeing His strength in our weakness because He's all about showing Himself great. We're usually just the opposite-- believing that God needs us we look for ways that He can use what He's already given us.

Pretty mind bending when you think about it.