Forced Flexibiltiy

I had some plans for this month. Then they changed. I was upset. It started back around Christmas. I signed up to lead worship for two AIM mission trips in New Orleans back to back as well as a training session in Chicago the Saturday before. I would end that trip with another training session in Dallas before returning home to relax. And then the first phone call. The first mission trip in New Orleans fell through. I would still be able to lead for the next one and still had Chicago and Dallas lined up. Then the second phone call. The second week scratched as well. I was pretty upset. Not only because the cancellations meant I missed out on two paychecks, but because I would also miss out on seeing some close friends there (one of whom is a girl I really like). I know. Double bummer. I asked God why this was happening to me. No reply.

Another phone call. This time with slightly better news. There was a trip scheduled for Arizona that needed a worship leader. But if I went on that trip it meant Chicago was out of the picture. Bye bye Chicago(I hope to go there one day...). I was bummed. And then I went on the trip. It was being led by a project leader I had met the year before in New Orleans(where else could it have been, right?). The participants were the senior class from Lee's Summit Community Christian School in Missouri. The students did a great job and I was encouraged by the staff very much. We also heard a passionate young lady in Sunday School say that things don't happen to us, they happen for us. In worship God overwhelmed me with His presence one night. It turned out to be an amazing trip. God really spoke to me and rejuvenated me. All of the schedule change turned out to be worth it just for the encouragement alone.

Sometimes what looks like disaster turns out to be beautiful. I am amazed at how intricately organized God is especially when it comes to speaking to His children. I saw this demonstrated before the Arizona trip as well. Our regular worship leader at church had the flu and called me on Saturday to see if I could fill in for him on Sunday. Most of our musicians were out of town that day so an impromptu practice drew 4 of us together. We ended up doing an acoustic set. Rehearsal was great and I was really looking forward to Sunday. But I had one of those days where nothing seemed to really connect. The style was somewhat different than our people were used to and I goofed by having too short of a set list. I also messed up one song completely by not finding the right notes. Blah. At the end of it I felt really bad. As we were packing things up, a lady approached me with tears in her eyes. She asked me if I believed God had songs for certain people. I said yes and then she told me that she had only heard the last song we did 3 times. Each time she heard it was after dealing with a certain situation in her life. It happened that the day before she had been in that situation again. That song encouraged her even in a trial. God speaks to His people.

I've decided not to worry so much the next time my schedule changes for no apparent reason. Instead I want to see what God has in mind for that time. I'm glad God uses us in His work. I'm also glad that He works on our behalf. Just know that where ever you are, God knows. Whatever you need, God knows. Things don't happen to you; they happen for you.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9