God Does Not Have A Plan B For You

When I became single for the second time in my life, it wasn’t part of the plan. Life had taken an abrupt turn, and single motherhood became my new reality.

I grieved in the beginning. Not only for the losses my family would suffer, but because it didn’t match what I believed God was calling me toward in ministry. You see, I had a passion for the women in my church. I wanted to help them flourish in God’s calling. I wanted to be known as a godly woman they could rely on. I wanted to serve God in the ministry He was so obviously laying on my heart. Women’s ministry.

I wasn’t happy with God at the little turn off my path. I mean, the plan was moving along quite smoothly up to that point. I was the co-leader of women’s ministry in my church. I was a writer for women’s ministries across the nation. I was well on my way with plan A, when a boulder in the road forced me to instead choose plan B.

In my anger, I went to church one Sunday, ready to talk to God about this change in plans. And when I say talk, I mean complain. Because, let’s face it, it just wasn’t fair.

So you can imagine my surprise when a guest pastor spoke about our plans, and looked me directly in the eye — really, he did — and said:

“God doesn’t have a plan B for you. He has a plan A. And you’re living it.”

And you know how sometimes you feel like a brat with God and just have to lay it all down and apologize? Yeah, that was me.

Are you there now?

Rest assured, whatever change your plans have taken, you haven’t missed your calling. You haven’t somehow walked past the love of your life on the street and not noticed. You haven’t misunderstood where He wants you, or the people He is calling you to minister to.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

God has a plan A for you, and you’re living it.

Maybe your life has taken an abrupt turn. Maybe the vision you had of yourself is so far off course, you fear you’re completely missing the point. Maybe you’re in a period of suffering that doesn’t make any sense to you. Maybe you simply feel like a wanderer.

That, sweet friend, is not part of God’s plan.

But it is the exact plan of the enemy.

• The enemy whispers that what you’re going through is not right. Not fair. Not the plan at all.
• The enemy whispers that God has forgotten you. That your place in God’s plan doesn’t make a difference.
• The enemy wants nothing more than to make you believe that what God has planned for you at this point in your life is not enough.
• The enemy wants you to believe that this season of singleness can’t be used for God’s glory.

But it’s a lie.

Where you are right now — the town you live in, the friends you have, the relationships that surround you, the suffering you endure — is precisely where God wants you to be. Likely not where He’ll always have you, but where you are to be for now.

So when your life plan or timeline doesn’t work out, praise God. Because that means He’s got something so much better for you. He’s not surprised at the turn of events, of what has come your way, or how you’ve reacted to it.

It’s plan A, after all, and you’re doing just fine.

So take a look around. Seek out what He is doing in your very midst. Look at your friends, your work, your relationships, your town — and discover what He’s up to.

Then join Him there. He’s waiting.