“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish adage
meaning, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.” Despite our most careful planning, the
road of life is unpredictable. We might have driving and destination strategies
but scenic new vistas might beckon us or unforeseen roadblocks can deter us. Our
best-laid plans in life can be upended by unexpected changes, which could be
either disappointing or exhilarating. Personal or other setbacks, losses of
loved ones, illnesses or accidents, broken hearts or tortured souls, are not
uncommon occurrences in our lives. On the other hand, life can provide
unanticipated good fortune or heartening experiences. Thus we all live with some degree of
uncertainty both on a personal basis as well as from a national and
international perspective. The latter is
especially so considering the ominous news of upheavals in Mother Nature,
health scares, and domestic and military violence. That uncertainty can give us a great sense of
adventure or lead to depression since we don’t know how things are going to
turn out. So what do we do? Let me share a lesson from my own 65 years
that I hope will be helpful to you.
First let me share some context.
40 years ago I thought I had my life set. I was following God’s call to preach. When I was in my first year at seminary God
seemed to give me a verse that I would guide me toward my future. The verse was Proverbs 16:3, “Commit
your works to the Lord and your plans will be established.” I found that verse in my New American
Standard Bible. I thought that verse
spoke directly to me but I did not know I was misinterpreting the real meaning. I thought since I had committed my life to be
a preacher that my plans would be established and blessed by God. In my thinking I had discerned that God had
called me to be a single bi-vocational preacher somewhat like the Apostle
Paul. I had a business degree and
business experience so, like Paul, I could make a living and not depend on churches
to pay me a salary. Although I grew up
in Mississippi, for some reason (maybe it was to get away from the oppressive
heat from the south) I sensed that God was calling me to Oregon to be a single,
bi-vocational church planter. I was in
my last year at seminary getting ready to head to the northwest to follow my
plan. Then something happened that
taught me a better translation and understanding of the verse and the way God
really works in our lives. The New
International Version gives a better translation as follows, “Commit
to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” In other words, if we commit our
lives to God, He will establish the plans for your life. His plans are always best since He created us
and knows what is best for us in the long run.
Now back to the something that changed everything. I was in my last year at seminary and focused
on my ‘plan’ when I saw a first year female seminary student in a red
dress. She captured my attention like no
other. I wound up meeting her and
realized I had not met anyone like her. Let
me cut to the chase. We married 37 years
ago today and I wound up spending most of my career as a married full-time minister
in South Carolina which is quite a bit distant, in almost every way, from my
plan of being a single bi-vocational church planter in Oregon.
Here is the point. We
may have our plans. We may think our
plans are good. We may think our plans
will honor and please God. However, only
God knows the future. Thus the Yiddish
proverb, God simply smiles or even laughs at our plans. He alone knows the future. He alone knows what is best for us. That is why the correct understanding of
Proverbs 16:3 tells us that if we commit whatever we do to Him the He will be
able to establish HIS plan for our lives.
Since He loves us with an everlasting love and knows the future, His
plan will be the best for us.
As I look back I am eternally grateful that God’s plan led
me to Cathy which led to a great adventure for our lives, which still continues. God has blessed us with two wonderful
daughters who have grown up to be women that are the pride of my life. God has allowed me to go places and do things
that I never would have dreamed in my ‘plan’.
So, no matter where you are in life’s journey, commit daily to give
yourself to God and He will establish his good and perfect plan for your
life.
