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We all have a plan nestled deep in within us. For me, that agenda typically serves to provide me with comfort and ease. Let’s take a look at Scripture to see how the Father’s agenda is superior to ours and how it brings glory to Him and blessing to us!

A few weeks ago, I needed to pick up something from my doctor’s office and get a membership at a local gym. There isn’t a direct road between either of the places. So, I made a big, jagged circle around the city. I left an hour later than I had originally planned and every traffic light I came to was red. Isn’t that just how it works? But I talked my irritation down, telling myself that I didn’t have to be back home for two hours and there was plenty of time to accomplish my stops.

Testing My Agenda

After my first task was complete, I hopped back into my car and made my way to the other end of town. Once again, I caught every-single-light. Some of the lights in my town are two-three minutes long…just to give you a feel for how flabbergasted I was getting.

I thought I was pulling into the parking lot of the gym I wanted to join. Then I realized I had the wrong coordinates. It was a different fitness center, altogether. I started laughing and said out loud, You have GOT to be kidding me! I found a shady spot in the lot to park and sat there a moment to regroup. The gym I thought was close to me was actually another ten minutes away and it had way better reviews than this place.

Sobering Awareness

On my way home, still getting caught at every light, I made my last stop at the grocery store. I quickly secured the three things I needed and went to stand in the shortest self-check-out line. The lady in front of me only had one bag of grapes, but she was having trouble understanding what the machine wanted her to do. It quickly became clear she couldn’t read English nor speak it very well.

In God’s mercy, I felt a wave of compassion when she cast me a distressed glance. As the line grew longer behind us, I was able to help her complete the transaction and put her at ease despite the impatient tone in the air. As I watched her walk away with a smile on her face it hit me: That’s why I caught all the lights.

Slow Your Roll

What a gift! As I pieced together the events of my day, giddiness overflowed in my spirit. God used me to show that woman His kindness! There was nothing wrong with my to-do list, yet God had a greater plan and chose to utilize me in it. Now, I know I’m not the only helpful person in Northern Virginia and the Lord can use anyone to accomplish His will. But at that moment, He chose me to be a helper. And He also revealed to me that my agenda had been trifled with for His righteous purpose. And isn’t that what we all seek – to know our purpose?

My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

James 1:19-20, CSB

We’re All Lawbreakers

What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin.

Romans 3:9, CSB

Another point the Lord has been teaching me is how alike I am with my fellow citizens. God is showing me through seemingly menial moments, like my grocery experience, how great His patience is with me. Because of His kindness toward me, God invites me to extend that same patience to the people around me and mirror the character of my Savior!

Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Romans 2:4, CSB

Remember…

So, the next time you’re slowed down by a long check-out lane, a gazillion red lights, or something threatens your agenda, remember these three things:

God’s Opinion of Me

They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24, CSB

God sees me through the purified lens of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am redeemed and have right standing with my Creator. Because of that, God invites me to be a part of His agenda which produces righteousness and brings Him glory!

God sees us through the purified lens of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are redeemed and have right standing with our Creator. We are invited to be a part of His agenda which produces righteousness and brings Him glory! Click To Tweet

God’s Love for Me

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.

1 John 4:10-11, CSB

Because God loved first, I have everything I need to pour out on those around me. (Even that really rude person who cut me off.) I have no idea what is going on in the heart of a stranger…or even a friend. What if they received some disparaging news or their boss yelled at them? Perhaps they’re grieving or are in debt up to their eyeballs. I cannot know, but God does.

God knew what was in the depths of my heart when He chose to love me. He knew the sin, the hurt, the ugliness. Since God loves me in the face of my sinfulness, I also must freely love, trusting that God is “Omni”; I am not.

God’s Presence with Me

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17, NIV

Know this, sisters, the Father is with you wherever you go. You lack nothing. His love is unfailing, His plans will be accomplished and they are for your good and His glory. God’s will cannot be stopped; not by you or me or any other thing in the universe.

His love is a consuming fire and nothing can quench it. You and I do not deserve it and there is nothing we can do to earn it. But He still sent His Son to secure us for Himself. His character is trustworthy and stands the test of time…and beyond. Rejoice in His love for you!

Surrendering our time to God is important. When we structure moments on being His instrument, we can find rest and assurance through God’s perfect design.

In relationships, I tend to say “yes” a lot. Does someone need a meal? I can deliver. Did someone lose their babysitter last minute? Bring your kids to me. You need me to do that extra administrative work? Done. If there is a sincere need and I am able, why would I not engage? The problem is, while all of those things are well-intentioned, the day to day obligations constantly get pushed to the end of the week and I am left with a mountain of responsibilities.

Under Pressure

Some people work well under pressure. Me, not so much. The general stress of life or feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks I have taken on, lead to me shutting down and ignoring my obligations. The task at hand will eventually get completed, so it can wait, right? This happens on a weekly basis, leading to things falling through the cracks. There have been many days when I have arrived at work only to realize I forgot my computer or some other pertinent item necessary for executing the day. It is not the end of the world, but neither is it a wise use of time or gasoline. When the pressure is on to complete a task, I feel irritable. As a result of my negligence, my family suffers, whether by my absence or my clipped responses when I am hurried to fulfill my obligations.

Moments Past

As a homeschooled child, once I had completed my work I would engage in imaginative play for hours. If I had chores to complete, my mother encouraged me to get chores out of the way so as to not have them hanging over my head. But as I recall, play always came first. It’s not unusual for children to choose play time over work. I definitely viewed work as a negative thing. My parents rightly believed schedule provided security for children. So each day, plans were laid out for my brothers and I. I dawdled and daydreamed through my homework every day. I was always the last to complete my lessons.

When I secured my first full-time job working in accounting everything was laid out for me with little room for error. I arrived early, completed my work, went home, made dinner and repeated the cycle the next day. That was a time in my life when organization was easier because my responsibilities were plainly stated. I knew what was expected of me and I prided myself as a reliable, hard worker.

Taking on More

When my husband and I started having children we chose for me to stay home with them. Organization grew dim with the second baby and after the third, survival mode kicked in and all semblance of order flew out the window. In the haze of financial strain, three children under six and no end in sight, I began seeking moments of comfort and rest wherever I could attain it. I escaped into books and movies. Or I would stay at friends’ or family’s houses for long periods of time.

As time has gone by, the kids have grown and the money isn’t as tight, but I continue to squander away my moments and put off tasks until the last minute. I receive high marks in my annual reviews at work. But what is the greatest area for improvement each year? Time management.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Seeking Wisdom

Currently I am learning to live daily in light of eternity. When I don’t live with a gospel mindset, my day is my own and I forget that I have been bought with a price. I have attempted and failed on many occasions to organize my time with things like keeping a calendar and posting sticky-notes all over the house. These are not bad tools, and I totally still use them. However, my heart hasn’t changed through their usage. So ultimately neither have my actions.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21

When I give a poor performance I get frustrated. Letting people down wounds my pride! At times I haven’t even known what to pray. Do I ask God for deliverance? Or do I ask him to teach me or fix me or give me motivation? Thanks be to God, he knows exactly what I need and when I will have a right understanding. (Romans 8:26)

Spelled Out Plans

One of my favorite passages of Scripture has been Micah 6:8 because it gives specific instructions. All my life I have found solace in quick solutions. Micah proposes,

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

For a long time I have sought to act objectively and compassionately toward those around me. Somehow, I thought that by performing those two initial charges it would equal the third of walking humbly with God. Yet I see how I have performed these tasks to my own fame and inflation, not for the glory of God.

Moments of Grace

God has humbled me by using my lack of discipline to teach me and speak tenderly to me. During some of my unanticipated extra moments on the road as a result of forgetfulness, the Father has reminded me of how small I am and how deeply loved I am as His adopted child. In His goodness, God tells me again that the struggles I face aren’t new, but I am to pray wholeheartedly with expectation to Jesus, who is able. When I feel stressed God points me to his Word.

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:2

If it is to be, it is not up to me. It is His harvest. But God invites me as His child to be a part of the work He is doing.

If it is to be, it is not up to me. It is His harvest. But God invites me as His child to be a part of the work He is doing. Click To Tweet

Instruments for God

Ultimately, the most refreshing days are when I begin in the Word, receive direction from the Lord, and keep my mind focused all day on the truth that I am an instrument in the hand of a loving God. Understanding my purpose permits me to accomplish whatever lies ahead. It also gives me the freedom to rest, confident that my hope is in the finished work of Jesus Christ and my life is secure in Him. I can spend my time doing good according to God’s perfect design through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Agenda: Godly Responses to Being Slowed Down