When God changes your best-laid plans

    This particular summer after my senior year of college, I interned in Nashville at a highly respected publishing company. I was also enjoying the amenities and excitement of Music City and meeting famous musicians. God was giving me more opportunities as a Christian writer, and I was making plans to settle in and stay awhile.
    During the last two weeks of my internship, the word seminary and getting my master’s degree kept coming to mind. I told my sister, brother-in-law and parents about the idea and received nothing but affirmation to pursue further education. It began making sense.
    Immediately, I applied and even received a scholarship. All the necessary details came together, and before I knew it, I was driving back to the rolling hills of Virginia, awaiting a new apartment and roommate, approaching my first week of seminary classes.
    God had completely altered my perfectly laid out plans. He intervened at a critical part of my life and career as a single woman, and unbeknownst to me, he had even more in mind than simply a master’s degree.
    
Taking a risk of faith
    It’s often in these crossroads in our lives that we want to wrestle with God and test him even more, isn’t it? It’s like we know he’s up to something, but we’re just not sure we want to believe. We think:
    Do you really know what you’re doing Lord? Are you serious? You want me to do what? Ugh. This is not what I had in mind. I’m a little scared. Will you really walk with me through this?
    Often, these landmarks come when we’re comfortable, too. We’d rather stay complacent and not step out in faith. It feels good to not have to risk anything or rely on anyone greater than ourselves. It’s easier to dig our heels in the ground and ignore those constant nudges in our heart.

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