We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go. Proverbs 16:9 CEV
Have you ever been a substitute teacher or had one as a child? Then you know what it’s like for these stalwart men and women who never know when or whether they will receive that early morning wake-up call. When the phone does interrupt that last hour or two of REM restoration, they quickly dress, heading out the door to such-and-such school by the designated time.
That’s how I’m beginning to look at my life. Even though I do all my work these days as a volunteer, I still have a schedule. I’m learning to hold it loosely. Recently, I readjusted my week so I could fly out to Seattle to encourage and help my mother-in-law. This family need trumped what I had penciled in on my calendar.
That decision altered an entire week. I’m also finding that the Lord redirects my steps not only at the beginning of a day, but in the middle of the day. I’m developing the mindset that allows me to hold loosely every plan I make.
I see the life of a substitute teacher as a metaphor for how we family members of God are to live. We are not the ones running God’s household. But he’s included us in his family to learn and to serve, obeying out of love. We should expect the Holy Spirit often to change the schedule according to the needs of the Godhead.
Mike’s clients in his contractor’s job often don’t clarify what they want, making it difficult for Mike and his team to provide value. He sometimes laments the murkiness of his job. He frequently doesn’t know what to expect. How like the daily duty of a substitute teacher! I remind him to count on the Lord to unfold his plan for Mike when he doesn’t foresee how he should proceed.
This approach is so like the one a sub has to adopt. She regularly has no idea what the day will be like when she shows up to a classroom. But usually there is a plan, already purposed and laid out awaiting her. She arrives and carries out the regular classroom teacher’s lessons, following all the directions. She doesn’t have a say in what she is to do. She is under ‘orders’, so to speak.
I have found a certain freedom in anticipating God’s sudden changes. There’s no longer a reason to stress. For example, when I flew out to Seattle, I had to change in Dallas. The margin was a mere 34 minutes. Therefore, I packed a small carry-on bag that would not have to be gate checked, costing me minutes. When the pilot announced a delay in our arrival time due to a headwind, I had to fight against anxious thoughts which attacked my peace. Proverbs 16:9 was the weapon I used. During the 2-hour flight, I wielded that promise about 6 times, finally reasoning that if I missed my connection, then Jesus had a good reason that would be better than making my connection. Anxiety finally gave up.
I’ll leave you a final thought connected to this idea of a substitute teacher. A simple way of thinking of the grace that Jesus provided is that of a substitute. He took my place as guilty sinner, deserving of God’s just anger and punishment. What is more, his perfect life also substitutes for my fouled-up record. A double substitution. Maybe it’s only fitting that I can sub for him as hands and feet in the part of the world he has placed me. What do you think?
I have to admit that when I think about a very busy week ahead with what ‘looks like’ too much, given the time available, I start to dread the days ahead.
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