God Had Other Plans

 

I thought I would blog about how God brought me to where I am today. I took the more traditional path of the world. I went to a good college, got married, had the norm-al “2.7” kids, and climbed the corporate ladder. I grew up in the church, where my mother was very active, so I was active. I kind of drifted away during college and early career days, then returned for the good of the kids. The thought of full time service was something others did and I was happy to support them.

One day in 2000, during my time with God, He told me “This life is over.” At first, I thought He meant my life on this earth was over. I tried to understand, but the meaning was anything but clear to me. Several times I tried to impose my definition of “This life is over” and God just watched in amusement. 

While I was working through this decision, Seth gave me a book called “Half Time”, “changing your game plan from success to significance.” This book really spoke to me. The author started like me, with the more traditional path. His fears were my fears. This was one of my favorite passages from the book: 

“I used to think that if I ever said a complete yes to Christ, I would become a completely different person–that I would wear polyester and drive used cars, or ride a donkey in an AIDS-infested third world country doing things I had never enjoyed doing. That is not to denigrate those who fit these descriptions, but to point out that they just weren’t me. I couldn’t figure out why God would equip me as an entrepreneur, conceiver, starter, team builder, manager, and leader and then put me someplace where those things are worthless. I was  relieved to discover that God does not waste what he has built. I am the same me I was in the first half, only applied to a different venue.”

It is a great feeling to know that I can still be the “me” that God created, still use my past experiences, and also be used by God. I look back over the past nine years, having the advantage of hindsight, and realize that everything I have experienced can now be put to work for the Kingdom. God is a Genius.