Godly Plans, Godly Goads (Part I of III)
By Chris Voss
A pastor received a letter from a man in prison who said he is in solitary confinement. He has no contact with anyone at anytime because the prison officials are trying to protect his life. The prisoner writes: “This has proved to be the greatest blessing that I have ever had. I am not allowed a radio or a TV set, and I never see a person, even the one who brings my meals.” The prisoner continued, “But I am allowed to have a Bible and I do read. I feel that I have experienced more of the love of Christ here in absolute solitary confinement than in all my life combined.”
Does that make sense? Could prison be a part of God’s plan to save the soul of this almost forgotten prisoner in solitary confinement? And what is this idea of “God’s plans” for our lives?
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
It goes without saying that God knew I would become a preacher long before I did. Sixteen years ago, my God was money and business, but the God of all creation had a different plan for my life. Slowly, yet surely, I began to see and understand that God’s ways were better than my ways and the direction and focus of my life changed from inward to outward, from self toward God and others. And now my heavenly future is secure, my life now focusing on eternity.
God’s plans will never harm us. God’s plans give us a hope. God’s plans provide us a future. It was 1977 and a six month pregnant woman decided to have a saline abortion. No one expected the live birth of a struggling two-pound baby girl. A member of the clinical staff realized the baby girl was alive and placed her in an incubator and transferred her to a hospital. The hours the baby girl spent in her mother’s womb gulping the toxic salt solution left the baby girl with cerebral palsy and spinal bifida. You may ask, “Is this God’s plan? If so, where is the hope for this child? Where is the future for this child?” Next time: God’s plans for this baby girl and a description of goads, all considered, in part II of “Godly Plans, Godly Goads.”
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Chris Voss is a pastor at First Christian Church, 317 S. Main, Donna.