Today, we are rounding out our discussion of Aligning With God’s Will in our Year of Listening Up by pondering God’s plans. Yesterday, I introduced you to Daniel Fusco’s book, “Honestly” which releases April 1 (go order it now, seriously, you will thank me). In addition to losing his mother to cancer at a fairly young age and of ways where life didn’t go as he planned or as he lived in opposition to God’s nudging, Fusco talks about how he had intended to be a professional bass player.
He dreamt of being on the covers of magazines, releasing albums, selling out concerts and living a pretty rockin’ lifestyle. This was before he heard a “painful” call from God to enter into ministry. In his words, God said:
Daniel, I know that you love the bass and I’ve given you the gift to be awesome at it! But – no listen, listen seriously, listen – I’ve created you for something more.
I had a similar revelation, and I bet you have or will have one too. For me, it was a bit painful, yes. But there was also a sense of relief in knowing I didn’t have to figure it all out alone.
God Gave You Gifts For God’s Plans
For Fusco, the truth slowly sank in. He realized that his own plans we centering around him and his desires. He wasn’t letting God do any directing. He wasn’t even taking God along for the ride! As he says, he was “neglecting the gift-giver.” Our gifts are not meant for us. They are meant to be used for something bigger and grander… God’s plans.
In well-known example, pastor Francis Chan shock many people when resigned as a pastor from the mega church he founded because he realized he was getting more attention than God.
Let’s put that into perspective. Chan wasn’t just thinking about living the rockin’ life, he was living it! As they say, he was “Christian Famous” – and he understood that to be a problem.
If you want to hear more stories like Chan’s and Fusco’s, check out my free ebook, Greater Desires, where I profile a handful of the many individuals who pivoted their lives to pursue God’s bigger plans.
God’s Plans Do Not Always Run In The Same Direction as Ours
God’s Plans are often not the same as our plans. Sometimes, they are far different. Sometimes, God’s plans don’t even make rational sense – to us. But God is smarter and wiser and His plans are ALWAYS better than ours.
In Honestly, Fusco talks about the well-known story of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. This story has several lessons; including what it means to set right priorities in life, valuing others over self, that pride can corrupt, and more. Fusco also observes that Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) wanted healing the moment their brother, Lazarus became ill and that is the response most of us would have if were in a similar situation. In fact, it is probably the ONLY rational human response. Certainly instant and complete healing is what we would all request.
But Jesus had much broader and far-reaching plans.
“I wonder what Mary and Martha thought when Jesus showed up late, after their brother had already died. I wonder what Mary and Martha thought after Jesus brought their brother back to life… and they became family with the guy who used to be dead. It wasn’t simple. It wasn’t understandable….”
God Is Smarter and Wiser Than US – So God’s Plans Are BETTER!!!
“If we claim our ways would have been better for God to follow, we’re making an assumption: that we are both wiser and more loving than God.”
As I mentioned previously, God convicted me by revealing that my plans were running counter to God’s plans. I describe that in detail in Listen Up, Kids, but here it is in a nutshell: During a sermon from a guest pastor at my church, I came to understand that I was chasing worldly desires that focused on making me known or filling a void that didn’t really exist.
God was not part of that plan. God’s plans were an afterthought.
But I was restless. I was restless because, unbeknownst to me at the time, the Holy Spirit was at work in me. During that sermon, the Holy Spirit brought the work to a tipping point. I came to understand that I was building my own little false empire while neglecting the true and real big kingdom of God.
I took some time for introspection, prayerful meditation and acknowledgement as I reconciled to who God created me to be, God’s plans for me, and how I can live the life I was destined to pursue! 1Glories was incubated during this time. Yet, even as I knew what God wanted me to be doing, I resisted it and made excuses to not get started for YEARS!
I put God off for years. He was telling me everything, but I fought the urgent need to get my plans aligned with God’s plans. I finally relented and I never looked backed. I don’t know what the future holds, but I am trusting of God And God’s plans.
Now… enough about me! tell me about you and where God is taking you.
You may not have a clear and distinct revelation. That’s okay. You might know it, but cannot identify that first step. That’s okay too! The most important thing is that you are listening.
God's always working on his masterpieces. He knows the end vision. We don't. Trust his leading. #YLU Click To TweetGod’s always working on his masterpieces. He knows the end vision. We don’t. Trust his leading. Respond to his nudging. You’ll be blessed and will one day look back at the journey with astounding amazement at God’s loving grace.