Corona Devo 1330

There are the "have to" day-to-day responsibilities that we take care of: the things we have to do today, and we do them.

But then there are the looming responsibilities/deadlines/pressures of tomorrow.   Things that need to be done, but are not "due".  It's those unknowns that (depending on our mood and stage) can paralyze/smother/stress us.  

How will that work out?

What if ____?

Who will step up?

The in-between of "unknown" and "outcome" is called faith, and it's hard.

Hard to know if we should be "doing more".  Hard to know if we have "prayed enough".  Hard to know (even though God shows up every time), if God will show up this time.

Spoiler alert: He will.

But...when?  How?  Through whom?  And, (did we mention, God)...When!?  The "wait" is hard.  It can be frustrating and even emotionally derailing. 

If we are worried about the who/what/how of tomorrow, be reminded today that God has His own good plan. (10) And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. (11) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan (Ephesians 1:9-11).

Is this a relief to anyone else, besides me today?  And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ... ~Ephesians 1:10

These verses are hope to those of us in quandary today.  And they are confirmation of every (single) time that God has proven Himself to us in our yesterdays.

~~~

God loves us.  God chose us.  He decided in advance to adopt us into his own family.  And when we are in God's family, we get to be a part of his good plan.

And even though we can tend to freak-out about the who/what/when/how of His plan...we can trust that this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 

~~~

I've been experiencing some inner turmoil/spiritual-stress/tomorrow-tension.  Our kids are involved with school ministry, and while they write the weekly lessons and teach, we need an advisor present each week.  We have one, but she is needing to tend to some other life responsibilities, and so we need a new one.

We've known this.  We've prayed about this.  We've asked God to lead us in providing/revealing one.  

But time has passed.  Weeks have passed.  Conversations have passed.  Prayers have passed.   And time is growing short for our current advisor's tenure.  

We had one lead...from three years ago...but more (God's good plan) specifically...from ten years ago.

A former teacher from our Christian elementary school teaches in our public-school district.  We were re-acquainted and said hello three years ago at an Open House.  I usually bring banana breads for our kids' teachers at the first open House, to thank them for their (coming) investment into our children for the year, and (delighted to see a Christian in my first tour of the halls of our public high school)...I happily gave her a loaf.  

Fast forward three (or ten) years--however you choose to do the math, and we decided to email her and ask if she might consider being our Christian-student group advisor.  I wanted to get the email out three days ago.  But God had his own good plan. 

(10) And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

(11) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan (Ephesians 1:9-11).

~~~

I sent the email.  It was a big "ask".  We are all busy people.  This woman is a mom, wife, teacher and probably many more things that I haven't a clue about.  I really hardly know her...except that she loves Jesus.

Her response made my knees buckle to prayer and my eyes flow with tears of gratitude.  

Our God has his own good plan. (10) And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9-10).

Sarah,

Yes, I will be the advisor!  If someone else has already agreed that is fine too.  You know the whole day...was set up for me to receive your email.  First, my kids go to (a Christian students meeting) every Thursday morning (in their district) and were so excited for yesterday morning because their youth pastor was joining them.  Also, (a mutual friend/past teacher at our Christian elementary school) is the organizer of their Christian group.  I was texting with her telling her how much my kids appreciate her time.  I was reflecting on how much I loved that they enjoyed going to the Christian group (getting up and making it there on their own etc.).  

Of course, I want the kids (in our district) to have the same opportunity.  Secondly, and this is the one that seems a bit silly, but I was thinking about banana bread all day yesterday.  So much so, that I had my daughter make some last evening.  I rarely eat banana bread without thinking of you and the time you gave me some at Open House.  Your banana bread was amazing.  Anyway, I'd say that those were all the little nudges during the day preparing me to receive your email!  I'd be happy to be the advisor.  Let Caleb know he can stop by and discuss specifics any time he'd like. 

I hope your day is wonderful!

~~~

The in-between of "unknown" and "outcome" is called faith, and it's hard, but before we get tangled up in the responsibilities/deadlines/pressures that are looming over us today, remember the plan.

...this is the plan: At the right time (God) will bring everything together under the authority of Christ... (11) ...and he makes everything work out according to his plan.   ~Ephesians 1:10-11

These verses are hope to those of us in quandary today.  And they are confirmation of every time that God has proven Himself to us in our yesterdays.

Trust God's good plan today!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com