Planning and Remaining Flexible

"I would have been here earlier...but things didn't go as planned today" was an understatement spoken by our colleague Renee just before we left our house for Club Rachel's "American party". She had plans for the day that were changed after her landlord requested a "quick" errand to the electric company that lasted several hours. She also shared about an interruption to her day when she was able to "converse" with a very drunk woman on public transportation. (Renee will get "bonus" language acquisition points for this ;-)

This week, I have been working on updating my 2010 Goals for ReachGlobal. I have, therefore, been reflecting on the tension between our planning and waiting on the Lord to lead during the day or during a year. There are times when we must plan very carefully in order to accomplish what the Lord desires for our lives. And there are times when we must allow him to re-direct our plans. Planning and waiting on the Lord are not contradictory. As we learn to hear His voice, he directs our plans and we plan more in line with what He desires.

Last night we planned on showing a Trans World Radio video highlighting their work with Roma in eastern Europe at...but the adult women started asking about prayer and how you can hear God's voice. This led to Renee, Dora, and I sharing our testimonies about how we knew God wanted us to move to another country to serve him.

We also planned on coming home to help Amy and the rest of the senior class bake cookies to raise funds for their senior trip. We were held up with conversations at Club Rachel and they ended up doing all the work themselves.

We also planned on having the house to ourselves after 9:00 PM or so. But 3 of the seniors stayed over night in order to complete the baking and packaging of cookies. AND we had 4 other guests (and one dog) from a Roma ministry in Brno who needed a place in Prague to stay after their plans fell through.

I am learning how to plan to the best of my ability with discernment of the Lord's will. I am learning to see interruptions and changes in my plans as the Lord's leading. I am learning to wait on the Lord in expectation that He has greater plans for me and for His kingdom than I can ever imagine.