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The Inconvenient Truth

    Human nature is selfish. We all want our time, space, comfort, etc. We are always looking for the easiest route for ourselves and disregarding the rest. When others are in the way of what's easiest for us, we often push them to the side to get to whatever we want. How quick are we really in giving up the little things that are precious to us in order to help someone else? Is there room for God's plan in your life, or just your own? 

    It is easy to get side tracked with our own lives and preferences and forget that anything could be good outside of that. Often times, Jesus puts people on our path that need ministry, that need to meet Jesus. But it never seems to be at a time that is "convenient" with your own plans. The things Jesus has planned for us are beyond our capacity to plan for and they are always good. But you will never reap the benefits of His plan if you are not listening to His leading or willing to follow it.

    When Jesus was on the earth, He too was "inconvenienced" by those who needed Him. He often tried to withdraw for some alone time or rest and was found by the crowds anyway. How did He handle that? He didn't run and hide, but instead He reached out to those people and helped them. Even though He was tired, even though He was thirsty, even though He just wanted some time alone. Jesus recognized that His Father's plans were not His own. He made the decision to follow what the Father had planned instead of what He wanted. Where would we be if He hadn't followed the Father's will, even to His own gruesome death.

Luke 9:10-11 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. (NIV)

    What blessings are you missing out on while following your plan? What people who need Jesus are you letting slip through the cracks? I encourage you to invite Jesus to spend this day with you. Ask Him what He wants to be done and what His will is, regardless of what you'd had planned yourself. Follow His lead and watch how He transforms your life.

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (ESV)

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (ESV)

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your way and my thoughts than your thoughts. ” (NIV)

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