Has your life ever not gone according to your plans?
Some of you are thinking, “Really, Beth? You’re asking me that?”
Life rarely goes according to our plans.
We all experienced the upheaval of the COVID pandemic in 2020, and we’re still affected by it just over a year later.
The life we plan for ourselves gets derailed by all sorts of disappointments.
Illness. Abuse. Divorce. Job loss. Infertility. Betrayal. Closed doors against our longed-for, prayed-for dreams.
Sometimes our plans change through unexpected blessings. The chance to go to college. A promotion.
But then that opportunity leads us to unforeseen events – the loss of long-time relationships or a tyrannical boss.
We desperately want a do-over, but it’s not happening.
I was mulling over how life doesn’t go according to plan when my thoughts collided with, of all things, the upcoming celebration of Easter.
If ever an occurrence in history encapsulates how life can go off the rails, it’s the Easter story. One moment, Jesus is triumphant, entering Jerusalem while the crowd waves palm fronds and shouts, “Hosanna!”
Days later, Jesus is dead. Buried in a borrowed tomb. His befuddled disciples wonder, “What just happened?”
The disciples had different plans for their rabbi than arrest, conviction, and crucifixion. Yes, they were willing to follow him – but their sights were not set on Golgotha.
Like so many of us when our plans are upended, the disciples gave into fear. They forgot so many things Jesus had said to them and listened to their own “what if” thoughts.
Here’s the most beautiful aspect of the Easter Story: It’s all about life not going according to so many people’s plans – plans that span generations – but still going according God’s plan. Through God’s power, Jesus overcame that desperate moment so that what seemed the ultimate failure became miraculous.
Was there waiting involved? Yes. Friday evening. Saturday. Sunday morning.
Was there loss of hope? Yes. During the waiting, the disciples fought against, and most likely gave into despair.
Was there doubt? Yes. People doubt the truth of the empty tomb to this day.
God is all about taking the worst circumstances, the “why did it have to go this way” events, and turning them into game-changing, life-changing events.
If your life isn’t going the way you want it to right now, then look to Easter.
How Do We Find Hope When Our Life Doesn't Go According to Our Plan https://bit.ly/3frIymz #faith #encouragement Click To Tweet ' ... Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best.' Quote by Unknown https://bit.ly/3frIymz #hope #encouragement Click To Tweet
Comments 8
TOTALLY gorgeous picture. (That should be framed and mass-produced.) And great truth. (That should be, too!)
Author
🙂 My husband Rob took the photo. I love it. He’s quite the photographer. And I’m thankful if the blog post encouraged you, Dee.
Life went tango uniform
way too fast and way to soon,
and Murphy’s law is now the norm,
but I still have a happy tune
a-whistle in my inner heart,
although the cliff is up ahead,
and jackals wait to rip apart
my guts, leaving me for dead,
but through it all I’ll slit my eyes
and furtive-peer for when they’re gone,
and then on bloodied sinews rise
a wave “Hi!” to another dawn,
and another bright warm day for chillin’,
for I’ll yet take a bit of killin’.
Author
Andrew: I know Who your hope and confidence is in, my friend.
I know why you have a happy tune — a-whistle in your inner heart.
Many prayers for you this day.
Oh, Beth, how I love this post. There have been so many unexpected things in life lately. But this:
“God is all about taking the worst circumstances, the “why did it have to go this way” events, and turning them into game-changing, life-changing events.”
We need that reminder that this moment is not all there is. The hard, painful moments are no surprise to God. And, He does have a way of working them into magnificent, amazing future moments. Thank you for this post today. I needed it.
Author
Jeanne: I’m thankful today’s post encouraged you. Yes, we have to look past today’s “circumstantial evidence” and remember that there is always more to the story. God’s more.
Wonderful reminder to hold on, keep the faith, and to never lose hope.
Author
Denise: Have a blessed Easter, my friend. We will stay focused on hope.