Change is an interesting concept that affects people differently.  For some, change is equal to stress, hassles, and more work.  For me, change is an opportunity to see how relevant we are to a changing world and culture.  Some have even descried change in this manner:  “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!”  I do not believe that God is a malicious in His laughter but I do believe He wonders why I thought I had the right to determine my course in the first place.  Proverbs 16 is filled with wise sayings that give the true perspective of who is in charge of “making plans.” 

“IN HIS HEART A MAN PLANS HIS COURSE, BUT THE LORD DETERMINES HIS STEPS” (PROVERBS 16:9). 

Many of the wise sayings in Proverbs 16 identify that while it is natural, if not even good for me to make plans, I must recognize my future plans often may seem right to me, but are truly selfish and lead to bad results (Proverbs 16: 1, 2, 25).  But we have some good news:  GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF CHANGING OUR PLANS TO HIS PLAN, resulting in something much better than I could hope for.  Jesus did that with His disciples. 

In Matthew 16 there is a poignant discussion between Jesus and His disciples.  Jesus is questioning them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13).  The disciples gave some political answers of the prophet foretold in the Old Testament that would come before the Messiah.  Then Jesus brings attention to their own beliefs to which Peter proclaims Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).  Peter fully recognizes that Jesus is the promised Messiah and he attaches his hopes and dreams to Jesus.  Jesus affirms this confession and blesses Peter with the purpose and authority to establish God’s church, with promised victory over Hades (Matthew 16: 17-19).  Peter may have had visions of vanquishing the Roman occupation as well, for this was a common political expectation of the Messianic work. 

Can you imagine Peter’s shock when Jesus started to predict His death (Matthew 16:21)?  Peter was upset with Jesus’ talk of death (Matthew 16:22).  Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke Him:  “This shall never happen to You!” (verse 22).  Let us try to understand Peter’s words as we read into them:  “That is not my plan?”  The response to Peter from Jesus was stinging.  Jesus associated Peter’s plan with Satan, perverting God’s path of salvation.  The reason for this rebuke is ultimately Peter “does not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man” (Matthew 16:23).  This reveals the true issue at the center of the “whose plans do I operate by” debate:  man’s thoughts or God’s thoughts? 

DEALING WITH CHANGE IN PLANS REQUIRES US TO HAVE GOD’S THOUGHTS IN OUR FOCUS. 

It is no wonder Jesus immediately discusses the conditions of discipleship with His followers.  Jesus insists if anyone has the plan to follow Him, “he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).  I must relinquish and deny my desire to plan, scheme, and insist on my way through daily surrendering my life to Jesus.  While my salvation is secure through my Savior Jesus, the struggle to make Jesus Lord is a constant giving up my plans for God’s plan.  I must daily fill and focus my mind with God’s thoughts, including His plans for my life. 

WHEN GOD CHANGES MY PLANS, I MUST REFOCUS MY MIND, ASKING WHAT IS GOD’S DESIGN FOR THIS MOMENT. 

You may ask how or why?  It is because I was able to recognize my plans were not the authority the universe operates by.  I was able to focus on God’s thoughts, which spared me the stress of worrying about things that were outside my control.  I did not waste my time by fretting on what was lost, but rather realized God’s plan would allow for something better to happen. 

WHEN GOD CHANGES OUR PLANS, LOOK FOR HIS BLESSING OF SOMETHING NEW AND UNEXPECTED. 

By: Barry Cosper