It’s almost time for back-to-school.
If you’re a parent, you’re probably cheering. If you’re a student, you may not be as enthusiastic. If you’re an educator… it’s always a mixed bag.
Personally, I crave the routine of working, but not some of the surprise things that come up day-to-day. I may have a schedule of events for next week’s work days, but it’s Wednesday and I’ve already been surprised by one additional demand on my time that wasn’t on the schedule–and I’m sure there are more to come.
Having a plan is good, and honestly, I prefer it. But life doesn’t always go according to the perfect plan we have in our minds. Curve-balls often come from nowhere and leave us wondering, “What just happened?”
Genesis 12 begins the chronicle of Abram (later Abraham), the recipient of the covenant with God and the forefather of the nation of Israel. Verse 1 of chapter 12 opens with, “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’” (NIV)
God didn’t hand Abram a road map and explicit step-by-step directions. He said, “Go… and I will show you.”
Frankly, I would have preferred a map! Or some step-by-step directions (turn left at this rock, go through this divide not around it, that sort of thing). But this is why Abram was commended for his faith later in Hebrews 11. God sent him, and he obeyed.
Every new school year feels like a new adventure and often there are no directions or playbooks. We can set out with a map of our own creation, but I’ve found that doing that leads to increased frustration and anxiety when life doesn’t go according to our plan.
I’m sure Abram had a life in Harran before God called him: plans, business, friends. It can’t have been so easy as to just pack up and leave. There were friends to bid farewell, packing to do, and plans to terminate. And likely he didn’t have a solid answer to give people who were wondering where he was going (“Umm, to a land God will show me?”).
Regardless, he faced the challenge and faithfully followed step by step where God led him. God proved time and time again that Abram could trust Him. Those stories from Genesis 12 onward remind us too that we can trust God.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
As the season shifts and we head back to school–or wherever your next season takes you–I invite you to remember those words. We can lay the best most perfect looking plans, but if God isn’t in them, they’re worth nothing. Only with His establishing our steps can we find the grace and faith to follow wherever the path leads us–even if there are extra surprises that crop up along the way.
We can go without knowing where we’re heading, because we know the One who is leading. Trust Him.
Blessings,
~Lynne
Leave a Reply