"I do not know what the future holds,
but I know Who holds the future."
~ Unknown
~ Unknown
By Day or By Night
#perspective
So it was always: the cloud covered [the tabernacle] by day, and the appearance of fire by night... Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year ... At the command of the LORD they remained encamped, and at the command of the LORD they journeyed.
~ Numbers 9:16,21-23 (NKJV)
O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
~ Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)
I've always enjoyed being spontaneous—as long as an idea sounds fun and I have a choice. I've otherwise planned ahead, with everything neatly in its own organized cubbyhole, necessary resources on hand for contingencies, and the calendar comfortably arranged.
Parenthood happened. I adjusted—mostly. Shortly thereafter I became involved in ministry, and learned how to flex for a slew of situations. Then my husband John (a police investigator) started working on-call hours, and in a moment's notice whatever semblance of order our household precariously maintains may be thrown out the window.
It took me a while, but I finally got it through my head that since God is Lord of my life, He's allowed to arrange my calendar and change my schedule. He may inconveniently disrupt long-planned vacations, important appointments, or simply thoughts of a nap.
The Lord has an exhaustive list of interruptions—among them sickness or injury, emergencies minor or major, relationship crisis—any of them my own or a third party's. Death seems to visit with unusual frequency, whether of family member, friend, or complete stranger who requires the police in attendance.
If I choose to see unwelcome circumstances as random fate, I will pout and be discouraged and maybe even rant a tantrum in my frustration. If I choose to see everything outside my free will to control as within God's predestined control, I can receive it as His plan to work good in my life.
Like the Israelites, I need only be attentive to His presence, ready to move when He says "Go!" and wait when He says "Stay."
Lord, thank You for always planning ahead, and always purposing good in Your perfect timing. Please help all of us to receive from Your hand whatever You give and whatever You take away, ready to bless Your name for it.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Sometimes the things that spring up in life can seem so devastating. It's easy to forget even those came by way of the Lord. The bible says we should always be joyful and thankful in all situations. That's really a tough one for me but I'm working on it.
ReplyDeleteWhether He gives, or takes away from my life, I will praise Him. Blessed be His name.
ReplyDelete"If I choose to see unwelcome circumstances as random fate, I will pout and be discouraged and maybe even rant a tantrum in my frustration. If I choose to see everything outside my free will to control as within God's predestined control, I can receive it as His plan to work good in my life."
ReplyDeleteI have done a lot of pouting and tantrum throwing - learning well to rest in His control and will.
Shalom,
Denise
Laughed out my tea..."Parenthood happened. I adjusted-mostly." Nice! Interruptions all too often invitations in my life.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
hi! i love your blog...can we exchange links? this post is just perfect for my day...^_^ i praise Him and love Him with all my heart
ReplyDeleteLight it Up
Welcome, penlighted! Yes, Anne's blog is wonderful and inspirational.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I love the way you made this post relevant to yesterday's post. The part that Denise quoted really made me think. A good point.
That's a great graphic!
ReplyDeleteI find I'm the happiest when I hold my own plans loosely. That allows me to respond more spontaneously to the needs I see in the day. I have a feeling you do that pretty well, knowing what I do about your willingness to drop everything and help others!
I have some of the same challenges: my husband's schedule is unpredictable. I've grown more accustomed to it over the last seven years. :-)
It's the waiting that always gets to me. I want to be moving forward always. If I were one of those Israelites, I'd probably never pitch my tent. I'd always be shouting at the pillars of cloud and fire, "Can we get a move on here? Let's go! We've still got miles to go!"
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, I fully appreciate that some of "those things" are very devastating. Knock-the-wind-out-of-you devastating. Once we get our breath back, I do believe it's possible to say, "Okay, Lord, what next?" accepting that He allows those things for good.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I've seen you do it. I know you speak truth.
Denise @ Sacred Longing, I'd be embarrassed to admit the tantrums I've had. I'm learning to not have them, or to at least keep them between me and God more often. I haven't been completely cured yet though.
Wendy, I love knowing when I make people cry. And I love knowing when I make you laugh. :D
penlighted, I enjoyed the light on your blog. I traded links with you over there. Stop back any time!
Ralene, I hadn't planned to connect the two, but I got to that line and it was ... just there! Hope you're feeling better.
Rosslyn, I love to imagine what pillar of cloud and fire might look like. God's glory surely looked vastly more magnificent than even those photos. And I trust that whatever I drop for those moments to respond to others will prove less significant in the light of eternity.
Deidra, I didn't go on about the waiting this time. I've said so much about it in the past, and will surely continue to learn and write about it in the future. I'd have been right there next to you under the stars, tent rolled up!
Hey, where'd all the guys go today? Did I not get a message that it's ladies day here? :D
ReplyDelete"Like the Israelites, I need only be attentive to His presence, ready to move when He says "Go!" and wait when He says "Stay."
ReplyDeleteAmen, Anne! Thanks for making sure I didn't miss this post! Praying your week is especially blessed, Amy
Amy Jo, your remark "life happens" was only one of the things you said on the post you just never know that seemed to put us "on the same page." :D hugs!
ReplyDelete