Have you ever had someone come from behind to scare you intentionally? If it were a good friend or someone you loved, maybe you didn’t mind. 

But you did mind if it was someone you didn’t know or have much of a relationship with. Possibly, you were offended.

Sometimes, we treat Jesus, our Friend, like an offender when He changes our plans. We look indignantly at Him like He scared us from behind. We think, what is He doing?

Jesus doesn’t change His plans. His are perfect.

But this is what I do, and maybe you, as well. I tell Him my plans repeatedly, and I become deceived. I pray to Him and ask Him to bring my plans to reality. I think I am praying. I think Jesus will answer me. And, I wait.

Then Jesus answers. It is not the answer I patiently waited to receive. Instantly, I learn that I did not ask Him. I was not interested in what He was interested in. I pushed my agenda, which made so much sense to me in every way. I was convinced He agreed.

Deceived.

I should be convinced of His love for me and see His agenda.

As uncomfortable and challenging as it is to adjust to Jesus’ plan, we would do well to remember that everything is from His heart of love. Generally, His plan is full of protection, provision, and rest. Remember, He is offering the new way. We think like the world. We check off boxes and develop ideas that make sense to us.

He is God. And He is ready to give good gifts to His children (those who know Him). We see only the now. He sees everything. He is all-wise and all-knowing, Father God.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

I wonder if instead of looking at Him like He came from behind and scared us, we can practice looking at Him and interacting with Him as our dearest friend, trusting, believing, and ready to say yes. 

What do you think?

©Valerie Rumfelt