When “my” vision isn’t coming to pass…

Have you ever really felt frustrated? Frustrated. At one point in my life, that’s exactly how I felt when things weren’t going as I’d imagined. With time, I learned to recognize God’s hand in the setbacks and last-minute changes. I went from frustration to awareness. What does that mean? Here’s an example… A few years ago, I went on a trip to Washington to preach the Word at a very important conference. I got organized; reserved my Airbnb room; took the plane; dealt with the jet lag; set aside time to prepare what I’d say; and when I got there, at the last second, everything was canceled.  I decided, instead of focusing on the cancellation, to pay attention to the opportunity right in front of me. This “setback” made it possible for me to reconnect with an innovative, extraordinary man of God named Bobby Gruenewald. Bobby is the man who created YouVersion, the world’s #1 Bible App. And I believe that the Lord had a special plan for that day and what would come of it...  Sometimes we stay there, at the red light, waiting until God wants to clear the way for us...But at the same time, He’s stopping traffic in another street and allowing all the lights to turn green. Could this be happening in your life even now, during this time when COVID-19 has changed everything? It’s a different path, another opportunity, but our eyes are so fixed on the initial plan that we don’t notice the extraordinary chance right before us.   As the Bible says so well, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8, NKJV) God doesn’t think like we do. He knows everything!   friend, it may be that you have such a precise idea of your dream that you’re missing out on opportunities right under your nose! I invite you to consider the “green lights”—open doors in your favor—even if they don’t exactly correspond with what you were expecting. Whether it’s an unexpected career prospect that has the potential to develop your skills or a last-minute conversation with a friend you haven’t seen in years, pay attention to green lights!