Planning With God

Two macaws, one sitting inside a hollow palm tree with its head sticking out, facing away, and the other sitting on top of the stump, also facing away.
Proverbs 19:21 (NLV)—There are many plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s plan that will stand.

A pair of macaws refused to pose, both turning their heads away from the camera. The coati on the side of the road became a blur after a certain photographer relied on the auto focus when the camera was set to manual focus. The same photographer also overlooked the ISO and snapped photos of a roseate spoonbill in ISO 5000.

Each photo held the excitement of snapping the next shot to display on my house’s walls, followed by a pang of disappointment when my photo plans failed—all because I had my plans for success but forgot to take the necessary steps to make that happen.

Although we can try our best to plan for success, God directs our steps in ways we cannot. He knows where we’re going and when we’re going to arrive. He recognizes the trials we’re facing and how we can overcome them. He holds the information we need to follow his path, and he stays at our side through everything.

Best of all, he does not hold this information close to his chest like a secret. He loves us so much, he shares it with us when we ask. With this advice, we now know when to change the camera settings or how to make the blur come into focus.

Our path becomes clearer when we seek his advice through prayer. Indeed, when we share our ideas with God and ask him questions, the steps in our plan become more than plot points in our scheme—they become moments when we listen and decide to obey, moments when we choose to say yes to God.

Don’t Disturb the Wildlife

Acts 16:25 (ESV)—About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

Do not disturb the wildlife, the sign read. I walked along the paved trail into Glenwood Canyon. I crossed my fingers, hoping to see at least one bighorn sheep—from a distance, of course, and preferably perched high up on a canyon wall. I certainly didn’t want to sneak up on this creature, startling it into being aggressive.

That’s what happened when Paul commanded a spirit to come out of a slave girl whose “talent” was bringing in money to her owners. He stole the girl’s owners’ means of making money, and the owners acted with aggression. They lied, telling the city magistrates that Paul and Silas were teaching things “not lawful for. . . Romans to accept or practice.” The officials then threw Paul and Silas into jail.

In the Christian life, it’s inevitable: we’re going to sneak up on bighorn sheep. Our beliefs are going to cause believers and nonbelievers alike to challenge our faith and stir up a fight.

But even when another person wants to butt heads, our best response is a peaceful attitude that causes others to listen, like Paul’s and Silas’ praying and singing of hymns while in jail. It is peacefulness such as this that stirs up belief in Christ and gives us a chance to minister further.

“Bear!” A Humorous Vacation Moment

Plants in the Okefenokee Swamp

The sun bakes the car as my husband and I drive a road that leads to a visitor center at the Okefenokee Swamp. A sign on the side of the road announces the presence of black bears in the park.

A squeal sounds from my lips. I love wildlife! Even more, I love photographing wildlife. I am now determined to find a bear to photograph. From a safe distance, of course.

We stop at the visitor center, look at the displays, and pick up a map. Meanwhile, I’m bouncing up and down, ready to find my bear.

Back in the car, husband driving, me in the passenger seat, I glue my gaze to the scenery. Trees draped in Spanish moss rise out of water. Water lilies float among other vegetation. Not a single pair of alligator eyes peeps out of the murky water. Bummer.

As we drive along the road, I see a flash of black through the trees. This is it! This is my moment! With gusto and confidence, I point my finger and shout, “Bear!”

Silence fills the car. Cue a strange look from my husband.

Why isn’t he more excited?

A few more splashes of black lumber behind the tree trunks.

“Amy, that’s a cow.”

Flowers in the Okefenokee Swamp