Beyond our Plans
Embracing God's Surprises and Discovering His "More"
There’s a fun trend on TikTok where people are showing one thing they said they would do and then what they actually did instead. They are often polar opposite things that show the original dream or thing they said they wanted and then the reality of what they do now.
When I first saw this trend I thought of many little stories throughout my life so far where I thought one thing would happen and the opposite happened or God took me in a totally different direction.
How many times do we say we want a specific thing or circumstance and then end up in a totally different position than we thought?
It’s so important to have a vision and to make plans. The Bible says, “write down the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2). The Holy Spirit loves to give us vision for the future to help us stay steadfast for our present.
There is also wisdom in taking a vision and placing a plan around it. If you dream of being in a certain profession that requires years of education, it’s important to begin to plan for it by studying, saving for school fees, and planning out a timeline—this is simple wisdom.
The Bible also says, “In their hearts humans plan their course but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9). With a clear vision and a well thought out plan, we still don’t have everything we need to accomplish those big God-given dreams. We need the Lord to establish our steps and put His favor behind it.
As that TikTok trend aptly depicts, most of us have experienced a season where we have a clear vision, we might be following a well-thought out plan, and still it feels like something is missing and we aren’t making progress in the way we hoped.
This doesn’t mean that God is opposing our plan or our dream. It does mean that He has something better for us.
When you’re in a season where your plans seem to be falling flat and your dreams feel distant, someone has probably recited Romans 8:28 to you: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
But the goodness of God can feel far away when we’ve been working and dreaming for years without results especially when we watch someone else received the very thing we long for.
In my book “How Much More?” I wrote about two instances where experienced this on both sides. One where I received a surprise gift from God that I hadn’t prayed or worked for. Another, where I was patiently waiting and came up empty handed while I watched a friend receive the very thing I was contending for.
When I reflected on how intimately God knew me (and my friend) I realized that His giving to her didn’t mean He wouldn’t give to me. It actually increased my confidence and faith even more. In “How Much More?” I wrote:
“I suddenly saw the story God was writing and how much bigger it was than what I wanted. I saw the glory of God in her life, and I just wanted to marvel at it instead of thinking about how I felt slighted or overlooked because I didn’t have what I wanted yet. I was more certain of the goodness of God than I was before I saw her miracle. When you see God do more in someone else’s life, let it be a reminder He can do more in your life too. Just because He hasn’t answered your prayer doesn’t mean He won’t.”
God will never give away what He has for you to someone else. If you aren’t receiving the dream or plan exactly as you imagined it, it’s because God knows you better than you know yourself.
Sometimes, I think of God’s plans for my life as an older, more mature version of myself designing a life she loves. I imagine she would look at some of the things I’ve hoped and planned for and think, “just you wait!” because what’s to come is better than I could imagine as a more immature, unknowing version of myself.
God knows us even more deeply than an older, more mature version of ourselves. He knows every detail of what is to come and every dream either spoken or unspoken. If it hasn’t happened yet, if it doesn’t look how we wanted it to, we can trust that the other side of the story is truly better even if we can’t imagine it right now.
When we surrender our visions and plans to God He can surprise and delight us with an intimately designed “more” that’s just for us.
Comment an example of when God gave you His best instead of your best!
P.S. This week is the one year birthday for my first book “How Much More?” If you haven’t gotten a copy yet get one below! If you loved it, share it with a friend to help them steward their God-given dream!
Thank you for all of your support over the last year! Praying God will “grant the dreams of your heart and see your plans through to the end.” (Psalm 20:4)