Way back in the dark snowy days of February, I visited Scotland to see family, only to have my return journey badly disrupted due to weather. Flights were cancelled and I tried everything I could to get back home that day. I took a train from Inverness airport to Aberdeen, only to find another cancellation, and then a taxi ride to the station only to find the last train had already left. Eventually I was forced to accept that my plans were changed, to take a room for the night and try again the next day.

Sometimes I think our lives can seem a bit like that, we have a plan and although doors close, we keep on trying to make it happen, it may be in our work, it may be a relationship that is ending, and, given the amount of products to keep us young, it may even be against ageing itself. Now I don’t advocate that we give up and in without a fight, but there comes a time, especially if we pray for God’s guidance, when we have to question whether God may have other plans for us.

I think about Judas at this time of year, he had a plan for Jesus, he knew exactly what kind of leader it would take to set the people free from their Roman oppressors, yet day by day his plan unravelled as Jesus’ mission was quite different to that of Judas. Judas could not accept that he might have to change his plan, but sometimes when we do accept and stop fighting then a wonderful peace can be ours.

As to my journey, I think it would be too simplistic to say that we were disrupted for a reason, but I have to confess that I will remember the beautiful train journey through white majestic mountains with a stag standing still in the white snowy fields, long after I recall the stress of a cancelled flight.

“I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”Jeremiah 29 vs. 11

 

Elsie Bouffler (http://blog.mydailythought.co.uk)