Do We Need Plan B?

Most of us are programmed to create Plan B in our lives. If one thing doesn't work out, then always have another to go to, then another, and then another..... It feels secure and gives the appearance of practicality, being smart and thoughtful. But with God, Plan B often times gets in His way. He doesn't want us to have Plan B. He is Plan A and that's it. Trust him.

I'm really good at Plan B and so forth. I've prided myself in it. But I've also learned in my life that God is not pleased with me at all when I do this. Awhile back this was impressed on me during a particular time in my life.

I had left my company and was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life. It was a difficult time for me. Financially, I was fearful of what was ahead. I had never been without employment before. The "security" of a regular paycheck with inherent "benefits" had always been there. Life was different and I wasn't sure how to handle it. I not only had my own issues to be concerned with, but also the pressure of how my wife was feeling and what she was going through weighed on me.

God was working on me. And what He wanted to get through to me was beginning to take effect. I knew this in numerous ways, but one really stood out. For the first time in a long time, I was very sensitive and open to God. My heart was softer. I could hear the Spirit. I could sense God's presence. I wasn't consumed with the pressures of the workplace and focusing on me all the time and what I could achieve.

This came to light one morning as I was reading through the Bible. I was in the great room in my "reading corner." It was about 8:30 in the morning. My wife had left for work and the house was very quiet. The windows and doors were open and I could hear the birds singing. It was overcast and humid, but pleasant in the coolness of the morning.

I was reading I Kings 19-20 about God's ordeal with Ahab and Ben Haddad. There were several attempts where God reached out to Ahab to work through him and give him victory, at seemingly overwhelming odds, and to show him that He is God. But Ahab didn't get it. I was reminded of how God did that in my life. And just like Ahab, so often I didn't get it.

The previous evening, my wife and I were sitting in the den and she asked if I had considered contacting recruiters to find me a job in case the one I was counting on didn't pan out. She said we needed Plan B. My response was no, because we didn't need Plan B. I believed that God was going to lead us to where He wanted and I was trusting that this new company was going to come through. This was not an easy topic for us. We were at different points in our lives then, and discussion of this was difficult.

So, when I read the passages in I Kings the next morning, I was reminded of our discussion the previous evening. My stand on not needing Plan B sounded silly to me the next morning. It sounded impractical. It sounded like I was procrastinating and not being wise. But something told me to trust in God, my Father. I believed this particular job I was pursuing was brought to me by God. I believed it would happen. I mean, God had already demonstrated I was on the right path by steering me away from investing myself and money in an internet marketing opportunity. That happened in an almost miraculous way for me. And now God was speaking to me through His Word in I Kings. This was confirmation to me. Do I have moments of fear and doubt? Absolutely! I had just read where Elijah did as well. But God was constantly with Elijah and Elijah just kept on going. God accomplished what He wanted to do because Elijah submitted, believed and trusted Him.

In my reading that morning in I Kings 20:13-15 the Bible told about the issue with Ahab. It said: "Just then a lone prophet approached Ahab king of Israel and said, 'God's word: Have you taken a good look at this mob? Well, look again--I'm turning it over to you this very day. And you'll know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am God.' Ahab said, 'Really? And who is going to make this happen?' God said, 'The young commandos of the regional chiefs. 'And who', said Ahab, 'will strike the first blow?' God said, 'You.' Ahab looked over the commandos of the regional chiefs; he counted 232. Then he assessed the available troops--7,000.'" The next sentence begins "At noon they set out..."

So, what struck me was that God told Ahab that He would give him victory, over great odds, and why He was doing it. But Ahab, unlike Elijah, began to question God and wanted to know how and what assurances he had. Ahab was relying on what the world's ways would be. He turned to assess his Plan B, the numbers of soldiers he had and their capabilities. God had already told Ahab that He was going to do it and why.

That is why I didn't believe I needed Plan B. God had shown me He was going to do it. But, if this one job I was counting on and believed that God had put in my path didn't come about, He would bring something else. Maybe, just maybe, He didn't plan on me continuing in the path I had always followed. Maybe, just maybe, He had different plans for me. Trust in God and believe. That is what I was learning. I didn't want to be like Ahab. I wanted to be like Elijah, even with all his warts, doubts, and human weaknesses. So, on that morning I told God that I was waiting.

A few months earlier, I had gotten away to Cumberland Falls by myself and stayed in a cabin in the woods. I was completely alone. I had my Bible, a Christian perspective book I was reading and a fiction novel. I spent four days reading, talking to God, writing in my journal and just focusing on God. And God spent those four days ripping me apart and talking to me. It was an incredible experience. Since then, I had become convinced that it had been a God ordained event. This had been evident to me in several ways. This came to mind that morning when I was reading. I believed that if I had not gone to Cumberland Falls, spent four days with God, had "Don't be afraid!" pressed firmly into my heart and mind, I would never had been prepared to walk out of the internet marketing meeting and say no, which brought me to where I was that morning. Give up the known for the unknown. I was convinced of it.

God, my Father did this. He changed me. He transformed me. He grew me. He made me a new man. I was overwhelmed with what was going on in my life.

Praise You Father, the God of all! Ruler of all! My Father!