Reading Plan:
Luke 9


Our Thoughts:
Pen hits paper as I sign a letter of intent to run cross country and track for William Carey University. It seems like yesterday that I was sitting behind a table signing papers and having pictures taken. In that moment, all I could think about was the giant cake that sat only a few feet away waiting to be devoured. Once the pictures and speeches concluded, it was time for cake. My plans revolved around eating the cake and dreaming about what would happen when I showed up at Carey in the months to come. My plans centered around training, winning races, winning conference championships, and running at nationals. All of my plans for Carey were about how fast I would run, and the classes I would take. I planned to have an amazing running career and to be the best physical therapist one could possibly be after graduating. It would turn out that God had other plans for me at Carey.

I would train almost daily. I would get much faster. I would win championships. I would get hurt. I would lose bitterly. I would struggle. I would not become a physical therapist. God had much bigger plans. If I had held a tight clasp on my plans, my life and others' lives would look different. God’s plans were much bigger than just taking classes, running, and leaving after four years. God let me have friends and teammates from Panama, Fiji, Canada, Bulgari, Spain, Egypt, Belgium, South Africa, Kenya, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, England, Nigeria, Mexico, and Zimbabwe. God would allow me to build friendships with people from all over the world. He would allow me to share the gospel with others. He would allow me to see some be baptized. I believe God had a plan for His glory that far surpassed what I could have ever imagined for myself.

I can deeply relate to the disciples in Luke 9:10-17. The crowd was enormous. They planned to send everyone away to find food for themselves. After all, how could they feed nearly 20,000 people? Even when Jesus responds that they would feed the people, the disciples ask how they were going to pay for this. Jesus had a plan far greater. He would make the five loaves and two fish feed the entire crowd. God provided for His people in a way that they could never have imagined.

God is capable of exceeding our expectations. What are you planning? Is your plan aligning with the heart of the Father? Is your prayer something that only God in all of His glory can provide? Does your prayer rest on your own shoulders to fulfill? Spend some time examining the plans you have. As you seek God through His Word, ask if your plans align with God’s plans. Spend some time dreaming about what God could do in your life, your family, your friends, your workplace, and your city.


More Questions:
Is your plan aligning with the heart of the Father?
Is your prayer something that only God in all of His glory can provide?
Does your prayer rest on your own shoulders to fulfill?

Prayer:
Father, we praise You for Your ways are higher than ours. You surpass all human wisdom and planning. Lord, align our hearts and desires with Your heart and desires. Father, help us let go of our plans and hold onto what You have planned for us. Help us end today more in love with You, Lord. Amen.

Author: Cooper Herrington