In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. – Proverbs 16.9
From David:
How times have suddenly changed. In preparation for our first live stream service, I was planning with one of the team what we would do. At the end of the conversation, we said, “See you Sunday”. But then we both paused, realising that either one of us might have to self-isolate between now and then. So I tacked on the phrase, “God willing”.
Our forbears used to use the phrase all of the time. It was a recognition that we never know the future. It sounds gloomy, but it really isn’t. It’s both sharply realistic and wonderfully comforting. It recognises that we do not know what the future holds, even from one day to the next. This is the disorientating truth which we are quickly rediscovering. At the same time though, it affirms that while we do not know what the future will bring, we do know the One whose will triumphs and he is the One who loves us so much that he gave his life for us.
The verse above captures this. It humbles us with the reminder that we cannot futureproof our plans. But it goes further. It says, not just that God knows our future, but that he will establish our steps in the future – we won’t find ourselves slipping or sinking.
How about starting to say under your breath, “God willing” whenever you make a plan and then breath out and relax – your steps are in the safest hands.
Written by David King.
St Patrick's Church Blog 