OUR PLANS AND GOD'S PLANS

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose
that prevails." - (Proverbs 19:21)

Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of preparation for
one vocation only to end up doing something completely different?
Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our
minds what we believe we want to do only to have a course
correction. Often the course correction comes through a major
crisis that forces us into an area that we would never have
considered.
Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse grew up
desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented
and internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a
living as an artist in America during that time. A series of
crises further complicated his vocational desire when his wife
died; then his mother and father also died soon after. He went to
Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip
aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about
new experiments in electromagnetism. During that important
occasion, Morse made the following comment, "If the presence of
electricity can be made visible in any part of the circuit, I see
no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by
electricity." In the face of many difficulties and
disappointments, he determinedly perfected a new invention, and,
in 1837, applied for a patent that became what we know today as
the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was only later,
after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects
received funding.
Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I
cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look
upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to
hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall
I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will
wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to
create several other inventions and can be recognized today as
the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other
electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester,
Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]
God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural
inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead
to His ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not
on your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He
shall direct your path (see Prov. 3:5-6).