As a teenager, I thought my life would turn out as I had planned. I had specific goals: 1. College, 2. Medical school, 3. Job, 4. Marriage, 4. House, 5. Family, in that order. I had worked hard and was ready to put my plan into place. What I did not plan, although it is my life, is that it is ultimately God’s plan. It may not seem like it, but God promises it will be good.
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
My life’s plan began to change just before moving to the dorms at college. I had been accepted into the pre-med program at UC Santa Barbara. I had my room assignment and was ready to move in. I was on the road to completing goal #1. But, when my parents discovered the dorms were co-ed, they said NO! That derailed my plans. Looking back, I can see how God had provided me with godly parents to help facilitate His plans.
Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise, “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
I quickly, but reluctantly, changed plans and enrolled at CSU Long Beach, just 10 minutes away from my childhood home. I thought my life’s plan was ruined. To make matters worse, I was late for enrollment and all the parking passes were sold out. I had to ride my bike to college; nothing was going as I planned.
After a year at CSULB, my plans took another unexpected turn. I attended a retreat with our church’s college group. On the way to the retreat, I had a one-on-one chat with our youth pastor. He asked about my plans, goals, etc. This was easy! I already had the answers, 1. College, 2. Medical school, 3., etc. Then he asked, “Where does God come into your plans? What number is He?” “God is always there. He’s in all the plans!” I explained. "Hmm," he said, “Is God following you or are you following Him?" I struggled to answer. I realized my goals were not about pleasing and serving God, but about pleasing and serving myself. We prayed together, and asked God to help me make Him the priority in my life.
I transferred to Pacific Christian College that fall, and began a course of biblical studies. I wanted a better working knowledge of God’s Word, and a better plan so I could put Him first in my life.
2 Corinthians 5:9, “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”
That decision paid off. I met my future husband, Ed, while living in the dorms at Bible college. And the rest is history, His story.
Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Today, I am still learning. But I am confident of this: God is good. He has a good plan for our lives. We live it when we put Him first.
Psalm 23:6, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”