Plans Changed

Today I read the blog of another young professional who received a layoff notice. Plans for the future are changed. That blogger is in good company.

Another had prepared well for his career. Born into the right family and with the best teachers of his time, his chosen profession was open to him – until God stopped him in his tracks, literally.

Saul’s family was able to provide an excellent education, for he has shown himself to be a prolific writer and an orator. He tells us himself that he was a Pharisee, a Jew’s Jew:

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (Philippians 3:4-5 KJV)

Saul was a Roman citizen. Yes, that was a big deal then, very big deal. Not only a citizen, but free born, not purchased.

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. (Acts 22:25-28 KJV)

All that meant nothing when it came time to face the Lord. While most of us have not heard our Lord say “Why persecuest thou me”, we are just as lost as Saul was when he met the Lord on the road to Damascus. And his career went out the window.

He became totally dependent upon the Lord, which meant he was dependent on others. His faith allowed God to provide more than he needed, while providing us the word of God.

When we know God is working in our lives, we need not fear the unknowns of tomorrow. His purpose will be accomplished, as He has promised:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)