Whose Plans? (part 1 of 2)

Life is full of surprises. We can look at life and begin to lay out exactly what we plan to do, when we plan to do it, and perhaps even with whom we plan to undertake it. However, when we BELIEVE IN GOD and are OPEN TO HIS CALLING we can find ourselves doing things we never expected to do! The very fact I am a preacher today is positive proof of that! We too easily forget the times when had we been able to do exactly what we planned it would have ended up being disastrous or might have completely taken us in the wrong direction. Have not some of the things we never planned on doing, but found ourselves doing, brought about some of the greatest blessings for our own life and the life of others?

Though I have quoted Solomon's words many times before, we still need to keep them in mind and be encouraged by them as we more fully surrender to the Will of God for our life. We read. . .

"(21) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD THAT WILL STAND." ( Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

MY PLANS tend to limit God. I don't see everything He sees. Therefore I must remain OPEN TO HIS PURPOSES and HIS CALLING.

Moses, though a Hebrew, grew up in Pharaoh's household with all the privileges that would have come with that. Though he did not lose sight of his roots ( Exodus 2:11-13) I wonder what he saw his life becoming as a "son of Pharaoh's daughter." There he was in a position where he was well educated. ( Acts 7:22) There Moses was in a family where he could have moved up into great positions. [Remember how exactly that happened in the life of Joseph. ( Genesis 41:39-45)] Though the Scriptures do not reveal all that became of his position in Egypt, tradition (for what it's worth) tells us Moses became a great military leader by the age of 40. That privileged position (at least privileged from a worldly point of view) changed when Moses became fearful for his life and fled to Midian.

Regarding Moses' focus, the Hebrew writer tells us. . .
"(24) By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, (25) choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. (26) He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." ( Hebrews 11:24-26 ESV)

In Midian Moses spent the second 40 years of his life tending the flocks of Jethro. Again, I wonder what he saw as the fulfillment for his life since 40 years of tending flocks seems like settling in on a career to me. We are not given much information at all regarding the many experiences Moses must have had during that time in the desert. Whatever Moses thought or did during that time doesn't matter a whole lot because God still had something else in store for him -- a shepherding of a different sort.

These were the training stages of Moses' life. Are we REMAINING OPEN to the preparing God is presently doing in our life? Lord willing we will further note this tomorrow.

Have a great day REMAINING OPEN FOR WHAT GOD IS PREPARING US!
Carl

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