Engaging God’s Plan - Martin Wiles

But you followed God’s prearranged plan. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to the cross and murdered him. Acts 2:23 NLT

He had a plan, and the plan produced marvelous results.

More than a decade ago, the school where I teach hired a new headmaster. Attendance had languished, and it was time to do something or watch attendance fade. The new headmaster had a plan, which led to an uptick in enrollment. He introduced new technology, putting our school on the cutting edge. He initiated new sports programs and elective classes. A new attitude of excitement permeated the corridors. 

Having a plan is essential in anything we do. Peter reminded one crowd that God had a plan. They didn’t understand it. They couldn’t imagine pagan Gentiles being a part of it or that it included a Messiah who would allow himself to be beaten beyond recognition, ridiculed without responding, and crucified without fighting back.

Yet, as God had a plan for Jesus, so he does for every person. Our starting point in engaging God’s plan involves believing he has one. We’re not accidents—people he didn’t see coming. He knew us before birth, created us in our mothers’ wombs, and mapped out our lives’ courses.

Once we believe God has a plan, we must try to discover and submit to it. God won’t force His plan on us but will willingly give us the strength to pursue and accomplish it when we make the effort.

Recognizing it is God’s plan is essential. We’re the ones it’s happening to, but it’s God’s plan. Trusting him for the power to see it through is crucial. Otherwise, it will become our plan, and we’ll make a mess of it every time.

We should also expect opposition. Most of the Jews opposed God’s plan and demonstrated their opposition through unbelief in Jesus and by eventually convincing the Roman authorities to crucify Him. Satan’s never pleased when we follow God’s plan.

The good news is that we can expect success when we engage in God’s plan. The success might look different than we imagine, but God’s success often does. His success probably won’t result in wealth or worldwide fame, but it will be the type of success he’ll honor.

Engage God’s plan instead of coming up with one of your own.

Father, give me the foresight to see your plan and then the faith to follow it. 

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