WHO, WHAT, WHEN, AND WHY

Like many of you, I like things to be in order, and events to happen according to meticulously laid out plans. And whenever something goes awry, unexpectedly, depending on the level of disturbance, I tend to get impatient or even angry about it. Last week, I was on my way to my auto mechanic, an usual ten minutes trip. Five minutes into the drive, I ran into a dreaded “road closed” sign. I was unexpectedly forced into a slow-moving detour and my ten minutes-drive became a thirty minutes aggravation which caused me to miss my next appointment. Let us simply say that I was not a happy camper.

As I drove back home, I slowly calmed down, and a thought came to my mind. What if the delay that I experienced was God’s intervention to keep me from something worse, even an accident? I began to think about the many stories I have heard about 9/11 and the various reasons why many people were alive to tell them. Somebody got stuck in traffic and missed his flight. Someone got up not feeling well and decided to stay home. Someone was late because of an unexpected temporary black out and missed his regular subway ride. For different reasons these people who were flying to New York, or working at the Word Trade Center, were “inconvenienced” and not able to be where they were expected; and that saved their lives.

Often enough we believe that we are in charge, that we make the plans, and execute them for our desired outcome. Friends, it is not always the case. Growing up in Haiti, I remember a saying that I have heard so many times from the lips of my dear mother, “Men propose but God dispose.” Here in the USA, I sometimes hear a version of that same saying “Men make plans, God laugh.” Fact is, my friends, that God is the WHO in charge. He makes the plans – the WHAT – at the proper time – the WHEN – for   the outcome – the WHY – that He wants.  Let us meditate on that thought together.

One of my favorite passages is in the book Proverbs, chapter 3: 5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” I prefer the Living Bible version. “If you want favor with both God and men, and a reputation for good judgement and common sense, then trust the LORD completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your effort with success.” The key word here in both versions is “TRUST.”

The Bible is full of examples of God doing God’s things for God’s purpose through man who arrogantly thinks that he is in charge. One example I like in the Old Testament is that of Joseph’s meeting with his brothers when he revealed to them who he was, in Genesis 45:4-8. “Come over here’ he said.  “So they came closer. And he said again, ‘I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt! But don’t be angry with yourselves that you did that to me, for God did it! He sent me here to keep you and your families alive, so that you will become a great nation. Yes it was God who sent me here, not you! And He has made me a counselor to Pharaoh, a manager of his entire nation, ruler of all the land of Egypt.” Yes, my friends, God’s plan often incorporates people’s mistakes.

And what to say about God’s salvation plan? Let’s see what Apostle Paul has to say about it in 1Cor. 2:7-8. “Our words are wise because they are from God, telling of God’s wise plan to bring us into the glories of heaven. This plan was hidden in former times, though it was made for our benefits before the world began. But the great men of the world have not understood it; if they had, they never would have crucified the Lord of Glory.”
God’s wise plan was his offer of salvation to all people. Originally unknown to all people, this plan became crystal clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that He had the power over sin and death and could now offer us this power as well. Jesus’ death brought God’s plan into focus Ephes. 1:9-10.

The Point my friends is that God has been, is, and will always be the WHO in our lives with the power to do WHAT He sees fit WHEN it is necessary for the outcome – the WHY – He desires. Do not be perturbed when unexpected things happen, positively or negatively, in our lives. TRUST God completely. Be patient and wait on the LORD Psalm 40: 1-4.

Let us pray.  Omniscient and Omnipotent God, we praise you. We thank you for your faithfulness and for your ever loving  presence in our lives. Help us O God, to be humble enough to let you be the captain of our ship, the leader of our lives.  Help us understand and accept the fact that things will not always go according to our plans. Help us to accept the unexpected outcome not as a failure but as a detour ordered by you, unbeknown to us, all knowing LORD, for our benefit. Teach us one more time to TRUST you completely O God. In the matchless name of Jesus, the Christ, we pray. Amen and Amen.

Written  by Rev. Franck Aguilh