Scripture
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. -Psalm 27:1
When I was younger, I had well-thought out plans for my life. They were very intricate and detailed as they included graduate school, career, and family. For the most part, by my late twenties, I was working on those plans. I did not sit these plans before the Lord and ask for His input. I didn't even consider asking Him if the plans were aligned with His will. Then, the unexpected happened. I discovered that I was going to be a mother. This knowledge took me completely off guard as this was not in my plans for a few more years. In fact, becoming a parent changed the trajectory of my entire life. The very things that I declared that I would never do, I ended up doing them in that season and subsequent seasons of my life. It took me a long time to get past the fact that my life was different. What I didn't realize was that as my plans were shifting, God's plans had been activated. Inviting Him into our decisions brings clarity, peace, and alignment with His purpose.
Though I was a believer, I had attempted to build my life without the Lord. I was laboring to build my life in vain. As I look back from more spiritually mature lenses, I now understand that God's hand had been upon me the entire time. It's not that God was opposed to my plans, I didn't consult Him about it, and when His plans began to unfold in my life I felt off kilter. It took me a while to understand that God's plans for my life were to prosper me, not to harm me. (Jeremiah 29:11). The changes that I was experiencing sent me straight into His arms. He was scripting my life. The amazing part of this journey is that all that I had planned are unfolding, just within the confines of His will.
When I reflect on the plans that I made for my life versus the direction that my life actually went in, I realize that God had orchestrated the fellowship and intimate bond that I have with Him today. He is the master builder. Becoming a parent and having to pivot led me directly to Him and His will for my life. In every season, He'd been leading me deeper into my calling. Beloved, are you planning without Him? Are you laboring in vain?
Prayer
Father, we lay all of our plans at your feet and submit to you as well to your will for our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen
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