I am surrounded by teenagers. Our oldest son is in his second year of college, while his siblings are a high school senior and sophomore. Even though the national lockdown has changed life, as we know it, they are still preparing to attend (masks and social distancing included) prom.
My oldest son and I were on a walk around the baseball stadium that overlooks the bay and local harbor. The sultry summer breeze gently blew across the bay as we walked. Our conversation included many things including commending on the various sailing, fishing, and pleasure boats and yachts moored in the marina. He began telling me of the plans of one of his friends. He said that this young man plans to finish his second year in college, and then travel overseas learning a trade in a kibbutz in Israel. After that, he plans to return to college and pursue his law degree.
Enjoying to view, the sea breeze, and our conversation, I was taken aback by what he said next. The told me that he is watching with great interest to see if his friend’s plans work out. I asked why to which he replied—without hesitation—plans seem to rarely work out the way we plan them.
Inwardly, a smile rolled across my soul. Teenagers with an endless supply of dreams and desires surround me, and my 19-year old son comes up with such wisdom. We continued our conversation as he rounded the corner and headed home.
I tell the story for a couple of reasons. It serves as a visual of a close personal relationship with the godhead. My son wasn’t “praying” to me, spilling out a list of needs or wants. He and I were simply having a conversation about things going on in his life.
The difference between our conversation and one with God the Father, or God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit, is that you do not see him, nor do you hear him (although that can happen). This is where an element of faith and trust needs to be employed. As you approach the godhead in a conversation-like manner, you will likely have thoughts running through your mind. This can be tricky, but hopefully, my explanation will help.
You exercise a measure of faith—believing it is God—responding to you. Trust must also be employed because the Bible says that God answers when we call and that he will be found when he is sought. Therefore, the words you speak to God initiate a thought thus becoming the basis of a conversation. This can be intimidating, but faith and trust are there to help you along.
Another way to gauge—if you will—this conversation is the nature of the thoughts. For example, is the corresponding thought self-serving or self-promoting? (You are the greatest, or no one can do this like you.) Is it vindictive? (You should give him a piece of your mind, or never speak with him again.) If this is the case, you can be assured it isn’t the godhead talking with you. If you ask, why, the answer is simple; these thoughts do not fall in line with the Bible.
The second reason for mentioning my conversation with my son is his comment, plans rarely seem to work out the way we plan them. This has a newfound meaning in light of this recently discovered path I have been talking about. Since I have been purchased with the price of Jesus’—God the Son—sacrifice, and since my life is no longer my own, then my plans must take a backseat to God’s plans for my life.
I am still sorting all of this out, and have by no means found the answer to what this looks like in daily life. Prior to returning to heaven, Jesus has a conversation with the Apostle Peter. He tells him about the manner in which he will die. I am intrigued by the way Jesus tells Peter. He says that when he was young he dressed the way he wanted, going where he wanted. When is becomes old, someone else will dress him, taking him where he does not want to go.
In other words, Peter’s life did not belong to him, but to the Lord. God had a manner in which Peter would bring glory to him in the way he would die. To put it another way plans rarely turn out the way we plan them.