One of my favourite songs in my late teens was Robbie Williams's Feel. For those of you thinking I couldn't possibly have been a teenager, that song was only released a couple of years ago - I'm sorry to tell you that it came out in 2002. Twenty-four years ago. I'll just let that sink in.
I loved it for the line: "I sit and talk to God and he just laughs at my plans." For some reason it always stuck with me, particularly on days when I've felt a little lost.
Theologically, Robbie Williams is perhaps slightly off course. The closest we get in Scripture is Proverbs 16:9 "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." The picture Proverbs gives us isn't of a God who laughs at our plans, nor one who tries to stop us making them. It's of a God who is ultimately in charge - who takes our steps and directs them with purpose and care.
On Sunday, we're planning Eden in the Garden - this is a summer picnic and cream tea on the village field - and as I type these words, it is absolutely pouring with rain outside my window. Is this going to be one of those plans I end up feeling slightly laughed at for making? I really hope not. I hope that come Sunday, all will be well and we'll be able to enjoy some wonderful community time together after all the madness of the road closure.
But whatever the weather brings, I find it genuinely reassuring that God directs our steps. That He will, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28, work all things together for good for those who love Him. We can trust Him - even with our slightly optimistic British summertime plans.
No comments:
Post a Comment