Did you know God uniquely formed you in your mother’s womb for His purpose and plans?
Jeremiah 1:4-5 tells us, “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, ‘Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest for the out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.’”
If you believe this with all your heart, don’t interrupt God’s plans.
He has plans for all of us, just like He had plans for Adam and Jesus. Jesus carried out the plans God had for Him, but unfortunately, as it relates to Adam, his plans were interrupted by deception. And this is something that we don’t want to do.
Let me ask you a few more questions.
Have there ever been times in your life when you did not understand God’s plans and purpose?
Have you ever been disappointed when you asked God for a particular thing and He did the opposite?
I think we all can say that we have, at least I can say it. Did you ever question the Lord about it? You know, there’s nothing wrong with questioning God for an answer. You can ask as you petition in prayer and you can ask for answers.
When we look at the Bible story of Rebekah, during her pregnancy, she felt the babies struggling inside of her. She inquired the Lord about the discomfort and turmoil she was experiencing. God revealed that her twins were struggling within her. One was going to be stronger than the other, and the elder was going to serve the younger.
Have you ever struggled with God?
Really quickly, have your own plans ever been disrupted?
Interrupted Plans
I know that my plans have been canceled plenty of times. I had plans to become an opera star and travel around the world. But then God clearly said, “No.” When my plans were shattered by an illness, I was disappointed, but mostly I was disappointed with God. I asked for Him to heal me, but He didn’t heal me right away.
Years later, I realized that it was not God’s will nor it was His plan for me at the time. And trying to convince a twenty-two-year-old woman was useless because I did not understand anything about the will of God.
It wasn’t until I received a text from a dear friend of mine a few weeks later (and I hadn’t seen her since Covid shut us all down). Anyway, it was an invitation to take me out for a belated birthday dinner. She had been struggling with some health issues and I was glad she was able to get back out and socialize. We met for a while, and as we were waiting for our dinner, she proceeded to give me an update about the progress of her health. She started sharing with me about her dialysis treatments, how she prayed and asked God to heal her kidneys, and how disappointed she had been regarding converting to the treatments.
So, I asked her if she had ever wondered if it was God’s plan. Because it’s not to say that God can’t heal kidneys. I’ve actually witnessed people in my lifetime who were healed and no longer needed dialysis (meaning a person who is living with only one kidney that has never had kidney problems). I just knew that God could do a miracle if He wanted to. God actually heals in many different ways.
Story of Hezekiah
Hezekiah was healed by placing clusters of figs on his boils. Naaman’s healing occurred when he dipped in the Jordan River seven times. God gives different routes to our healing, and we have to be patient with how He performs His plans, even as it relates to healing.
Story of Lazarus
When we look at the story of Lazarus. Jesus could have easily gone and healed him before he died, but that was not God’s plan. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, were hurt and disappointed because they knew that if Jesus had arrived earlier, their brother would be alive. Yet, Jesus told the disciples Lazarus’ sickness was not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified(see John 11:4).
That was the plan. Jesus had to delay the trip because He wasn’t going to interrupt His Father’s plan. The plan was for God to be glorified by His supernatural and grave-raising power before the people at Lazarus’ tomb.
So if you’re fighting a terminal illness, on dialysis, or receiving chemotherapy, remember all sicknesses are not unto death. Trust and believe in God for a miracle. Ask God to give you a miracle. He is a miracle worker. And even if someone may be receiving treatment, that doesn’t stop God from performing a miracle.
Story of the Blind Man
Let’s not forget about the blind man whom Jesus made clay and anointed his eyes, and then told him to wash in the pool of Siloam so he could see. As a matter of fact, this man did not ask Jesus to heal him. But did that stop Jesus from healing him? Not at all. It was time. So whether you were born blind, cripple, deaf, or lame, that will not stop God from healing you in whichever way He sees best in the long run.
For a moment, when we look at Joseph’s life, he had other plans for his life, too. However, God had greater plans! Better plans that he couldn’t yet see. Most of us know that Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, served his master faithfully until he was falsely accused of rape, and then sent to prison for years.
Have you ever been discouraged or disappointed at what life has dealt you? Have you ever thought God wanted to do something greater or had amazing plans for you? I must admit life is not fair and there are times when we are treated unfairly as Joseph. But I want to encourage you to take some time to ask God as Rebekah did, “Why is this happening to me? Is there not a cause?”
Story of Joseph
Also, let me make mention here that Joseph wasn’t aware of the assignment that God had ordained for him. Nor did he interrupt the plan by trying to escape from slavery or prison, instead he remained faithful and allowed God to use his gifts regardless of how he must have felt. Later, God revealed to Joseph that his suffering was to rescue his family and nation in time of famine.
For me personally, as the years passed on, I miraculously recovered from my disappointments and illness. I no longer had the desire to pursue opera. On the contrary, I became a Christian author, writer, blogger, evangelist, and encourager, which turned out to be God’s plan for my life.
Conclusion
As I get ready to close this post, I want to encourage you to be willing to follow the plans of God. Don’t sidestep it. Don’t interrupt it. Don’t try to shortchange it or add to it. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” The ESV says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Let Him order and direct your steps.
So, are you willing to accept God’s decision and His plan? Are you willing to wait and see what He has in store for you? Will you allow Him to be glorified in your life? Allow Him to work a miracle in your life for the sake of His will and His plan.
Question: If you are having problems accepting God’s plan and obeying His will, can I pray for you? If so, email me at infor@delphinekirkland.com. Also, I’d love to hear from you. Please take a moment to email me to let me know how this blog post has ministered to you. Thank you!
