“I don’t have a five year plan. God’s Word is a lamp unto my feet, not my football field.”- Jamie B. Golden, cohost of The Popcast with Knox and Jamie and The Bible Binge
In Chapter 23 (“Expect to be Surprised”) of The Next Right Thing, Emily P. Freeman writes that airplane takeoffs cause both fuzzy terror and breathtaking joy. Thus, on takeoff Emily’s ‘important’ work consists of clenching her fists and breathing in deep to assist the airplane in climbing. Yet, as the airplane turn into the sunrise, the clouds look like pink and gold cotton candy. As a result, glory showed up in ways Emily couldn’t possible explain or expect.
Most noteworthy, we often hold on for dear life when we don’t know what will happen next. But, suddenly an unexpected glimpse of glory comes. Even though you failed to look for it or ask for it. In addition, Emily observes, this glimpse of glory serves as:
” . . . a reminder that no matter how much we plan, list, discern, and plot, sometimes the best things that happen in life are ones we never even know are coming, much less plan for. . . . It’s so easy to believe the myth that we are in control, especially when you have a decision to make. Turn your head from the illusion, the kind we often have when considering the next right thing, and see a different reality on the other side of the glass.”
Finally, the author notes, often the best things are kind gifts that have nothing to do with us. Our focus on clarity and the big fix blinds us to the miraculous ways Jesus blesses us with small surprises in the midst of the long haul. Emily exhorts:
“Let’s be men and women who keep our ears pressed gently against the heart of God, willing to respond to faint whispers and small nudges, and even have an openness to be the wink of God for someone else.”
Today’s question: Do you use a five year plan or follow God’s Word as a lamp unto your feet? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Monitoring spiritual growth”
