From a very early age, I had my life planned out in a specific way. I knew I wanted to be a cop so I had two options: after high school, I would join the U.S. Army and become an MP (Military Police) or I would go to college and major in Criminal Justice then go to the Police Academy. That was it! That was my plan. I watched every investigative television show, watched action movies, documentaries, read mystery novels, and studied police procedures. In high school, I joined ROTC for the full four years. My family will tell you I practically lived on the ROTC floor of the school building. I was there before and after school. I picked up my little sister from her school and brought her back to the ROTC room with me. I was even locked in the office one night while doing logistics. I became an officer, participated in numerous drill competitions particularly with weapon exhibitions, and even went to ROTC camp during the summer. At that time, because of my involvement with ROTC, I was offered rank if I were to join the military after high school. I couldn't have planned it any better. Everything was going according to my plan. Life was good! Then I broke my ankle while participating in an obstacle course group challenge during the last camp of my senior year. I was still determined to continue, so I stayed and participated as much as I could with a cast on my leg. That was a failed effort. I cried more than I trained.
Well, there's always plan 'B'. I had already been accepted by one of the best universities in Criminal Justice in my state, so that was to be my next step. I graduated high school, enjoyed my summer while healing and then I attended the university... for one week. After attending for only a few days, I was notified that my financial paperwork was never submitted and unless I could write a check for a SUBSTANCIAL amount of money immediately, I would have to leave. I didn't even make it through the freshman orientation week. I was so devastated and I didn't know what to do. I tried to appear strong but inside, I felt as though a part of me had died. A lifetime of hopes and dreams went up in flames within seconds. No more Criminal Justice degree. No Police Academy. No chasing and catching criminals. No guns. No becoming a homicide detective. No FBI. It was all over... at least, that was how it felt at 18yrs old. Little did I know that God had a plan.
This morning as I read 1 Samuel 9, I was reminded of those days when I had 'a plan' and how God interrupted my plans. I read about a nation who, in their zeal to have a king like other nations, pleaded with God to give them a king... because God being their King was apparently not enough. There was a man named Kish who lost his donkeys and sent his tall, handsome son, Saul, to look for them. Saul in obedience to his father, took a servant and went out looking for the lost donkeys. This search led him through various cities but to no avail. He kept searching until he decided to return home so that his father wouldn't become worried about him being gone for so long. Before he turned around to go back home, he stopped to see if Samuel, the prophet, could see them and give them direction on where to look.
And he (Saul) said to him (his servant), “Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.” 1 Samuel 9:6
What Saul didn't know was that he was walking into a setup by God. Verse 15 says the Lord had already whispered into Samuel's ear that a man was going to send Saul his way. Saul walked up to Samuel not knowing what was in store for him. He didn't know that his life was about to be interrupted in such a way that his original plan would no longer matter. He was going to be appointed as the first king of Israel.
I think of other people in the Bible whose lives were also interrupted by God. Samuel was a young man working in the church when God interrupted his sleep and chose him to be voice to the nation. David was a child in a field tending sheep when he was interrupted and anointed to be king. Joseph had dreams of grandeur before his life was interrupted by his brothers throwing him into a pit and again, when he was thrown in jail by Potiphar. The other Saul, who later became Paul, was on his way to persecute Christians on the road to Demascus when he was radically interrupted. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, all of the disciples were interrupted when Jesus saw them and invited them to walk with Him. The Bible is filled with people who were just living their lives, then God stepped in and everything changed.
Life doesn't always goes as planned but I can guarantee this one thing: "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. My Bible tells me that God already knows the plans He has for me and they will turn out in my favor (Jer. 11:29). It tells me that a man could plan his life but God is the one who orders his steps (Proverbs 16:9). I trust that the One who knew me before I was in my mother's womb, who knows every hair on my head, who predestined my life, who knows the beginning to the end, has more knowledge of the path I should take than I do. I TRUST GOD!!!
Today, if you're looking at your life saying, "This was not the plan I had for my life," be encouraged because that only means God maybe setting you up for something better. I can honestly say that my life turned out better than I could've imagined. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect but love my life. I didn't become a cop but that summer, I joined a church with Pastors who invested over twenty years into my life. I didn't know it then, but I was young and broken. God used them to love/counsel me through issues from my past. They walked me through years ministry and leadership training. I learned what church family and community means. I learned how to minister to the Lord and servant. That summer began a journey that led to the God-fearing, Bible believing, Spirit-chasing believer I am today. I couldn't have planned my life to be what it is. I learned life changing lessons, had new experiences, met life-long friends and countless moments that I wouldn't trade for anything, even to be a cop. I THANK GOD my plan failed!!!
Listen, things may not look that great now, but trust God. Let Him direct your path even if He calls for you to take a right turn when you are looking to go left. Trust Him in those moments when fear raises it's ugly head and tells you it won't work. Follow Him when He leads you into unknown territory. He's not going to lead you down a path that will pull you away from Him. He will work it all out for you and He will receive the glory through your life. Let go, trust Him and see where He takes you. Don't forget to enjoy the ride.