Monthly Archives: July 2012

Hi, My Name Is Jason, and I am a Planner….

Plans

I find it so funny/frustrating/confusing/encouraging how I rarely know what God has planned for me, yet I still spend so much time trying to guess/hope/pray/assume/create/force some type of plans to happen.  I’m hardwired to be a long-term planner, it’s who I am.  And I try to hold those plans with very open hands, knowing God often changes them.  Yet, I find myself once again standing in the middle of a place that I thought was where I needed to be moving in my life, only to see those doors shutting.  I’m not mad, at least I don’t feel mad right now.  I’m just surprised at how quickly I want to make things into my new comfort zone, even when they are mostly shadow and hope.  As I sit here, wondering what the coming weeks and months hold, I am reminded once again, I am fine.  God has me, and I don’t need to be afraid/stressed/worried/unsure.


So often we make plans for ourselves, they give us some sense of comfort.  I don’t think I will ever stop planning/dreaming.  I used to wonder if I was wrong to create plans and systems.  At this point, I know it’s something God has put into me.  I just have to stop hoping vainly that they will bring me peace or comfort.  They won’t.  Only Jesus and His care will.  So, that is where I’m trying to put down my roots today.  In His care, in His comfort, in His goodness.

Maybe you’re a planner.  Maybe your plans have been disrupted.  Maybe you’re mad at Jesus for sticking His nose in your dreams.  Don’t be.  It’s not worth it.  You and I just want comfort.  THAT is one thing He offers to us in buckets.

We can trust Him in that one.  Today.  Tomorrow.  Forever.

Plan on it.

When He Stands Next to You

Sometimes we obey God, knowing we are doing exactly what He is calling us to do.  And it stinks.  Everything around us seems to crumble out from under our feet, and the more obedient we are, the more mess seems to come from it.  It’s so easy to give up, to wonder why God does this to us, to wonder where He is in all of this.  We can feel so alone, like it’s been years since we heard from Him.

I was reading through Acts 22 and 23 today, and Paul is in one of those spots.  He knows he has to go to Jerusalem.  He also knows he’s going to be arrested there.  He walks obediently into the fire, and chaos blows up around him.  A mob wants him killed, 40 men plot to murder him, the government bungles his case, his own former friends slap him and want to see him suffer.  All because he is obeying.  He stays faithfully on course, but I know humanly, he had to wonder, to doubt a little, to ask why.

Then in Acts 23, you hit verse 11.  It says “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ”Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”  Paul is locked into the barracks with Roman soldiers for his own safety, fairly alone.  Jesus shows up.  How do I know that the amazing, brave Paul was struggling?  Jesus’ first words are “Take courage.”  Jesus only tells us that when we need to…well…take courage.  As I read that, the little phrase “the Lord stood near Paul and said” made me cry.  Once again, Jesus shows up just when all is lost, when doubt settles in, in the night time where Satan always seems to come and whisper in our ear about doubt and failure.  Jesus is there, standing close, encouraging Paul.

So many times this is exactly what I need.  Only I give up an hour too soon.  I quit being faithful and take off on my own plan to try and fix the chaos.  I don’t wait quite long enough for Jesus to show up, stand by me, and give me courage.  Today, if you are in the dark, wondering why your faithfulness has you in such a mess, please hang on.  He is coming.  He will not let you down.  All it will take is for Him to remind you to “take courage”.

Don’t quit.

Redefining the Rule Book

 

Youth led ministry is a discussion that brings a ton of emotion to the surface.  Everyone has thoughts on it, and what variety of it should be practiced.  Tash McGill wrote a great article for Immerse Journal on her experiences as a leader.  I wrote a response for it as well.  I’d love for you to read both, and weigh in.

You can find them here
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