You’ve seen Jeremiah quoted about God’s plans: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). That has provided so much encouragement to so many. It seems strange that a culture so filled with Christians would still wonder if God is for them… or is just waiting for them to mess up in order to lower the boom. God wants to give us a future with hope!

Something I hadn’t noticed until recently is that the thing God has for us is plural: “the plans I have…” What does it mean that there are multiple plans? Are we going to do a lot of stuff together with God. Or could it be that there is a ‘Plan A’ and then a ‘Plan B’ if it’s needed? Perhaps we want a firm future we understand and can count on, not something that adjusts over time.

Joseph [Matthew 1:18-25] probably had a plan to continue in the construction business and wed Mary, promised to him for years. Then he hears she’s pregnant and it’s not his baby! The culture and the law brings condemnation on her.

Joseph decides to move quietly because he is a “righteous man” What does that mean? He does the right thing as graciously as he can? But God has a different plan for him, way out of the box. Later he will be told (once again, in a dream) to take Mary and Jesus and flee as refugees to another country. Wow.

Note that this is not during a religious festival and it doesn’t occur in the temple. This happens in Joseph’s common life. Wherever and whenever he is. Are we as open to the Lord invading our common days as calling us to something out of the box? Would God call me to do the expected, right thing… or something else God needs doing, whether or not the culture and even the religion has taught me that.

What is the Lord asking from you?

As always, I would really love to get your comments or questions — ahead of time or afterwards. Just click here.