My Plan? No, God's Plan.
"though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand."
Psalm 27:24
I happened to stumble upon this verse tonight as I prepare myself for my second ACL/meniscus reconstruction surgery. I felt like it was an appropriate way to begin my blog, because I literally stumbled and fell, but it also reminds me that God has everything under control. Although my mind and heart seem to be at ease, I know that a part of me is still not prepared to go through another ten months of recovery and two months of crutching and hobbling around.
If any of you know me in even the slightest bit, you would know that I have a very independent and free spirited personality. I like to prove that I can do things by myself without someone's help, but as I have recently realized, that is not the case when it comes to God. Just when you have things "figured out" according to your plan, that is when He steps in and shakes things up.
Being a year post-op, I was ready to score some goals and kick some butt. Although summer practices seemed to wear me out, I kept on pushing to run faster, harder, and stronger in order to make my senior soccer season the most successful one yet. Little did I know that God's plan did not correspond with mine. On August 12 during a scrimmage, I jumped in the air ready to take the ball out of the air and dribble to score. When I landed, my knee buckled and I thought my soccer season was already over once again. I felt betrayed, cheated, and angry at God and myself for allowing it to happen. The following Monday I got an MRI and found out that my ACL was only partially torn and I would recover in three weeks with intense rehab. I was content with that idea, and ready to do whatever it took to get back out on the field.
After three weeks of strengthening my knee once again I slid my stinky cleats on and warmed up with the team. After one week of practicing and getting used to my knee again, I was cleared to play and start shooting again. When my teammate passed me the ball to turn and shoot, I felt my knee tear in half. As you might have thought I was devastated and angry once again, you would have thought wrong. I felt an immediate peace fall over me when Erin came running out to help me. She not only heals bruised up athletes, but also my faith with God. Sitting on the bench with Erin and hearing her tell me that this is all God's plan gave me hope that everything was going to work out for the better. The first thing I said to her was "I don't know why or how this happened, but I know that God is going to use this in a way that will all make sense somehow." Although I may not know what he has planned for me, I believe it will all be for His Glory.
The point of this blog is to inform everyone that your life is not what YOU plan, it's what HE plans. In a moment of crisis, we seek refuge in things that will only empty us further. We as a body of Christ need to learn how to seek refuge in Him. When we learn how to do that, HIS plan will slowly become OUR plan. Thank you all for taking time to read this and experience my personal journey with Christ in times of trouble and chaos. Beauty is amidst the chaos and all you have to do is look to Jesus to find it.
Psalm 27:24
I happened to stumble upon this verse tonight as I prepare myself for my second ACL/meniscus reconstruction surgery. I felt like it was an appropriate way to begin my blog, because I literally stumbled and fell, but it also reminds me that God has everything under control. Although my mind and heart seem to be at ease, I know that a part of me is still not prepared to go through another ten months of recovery and two months of crutching and hobbling around.
If any of you know me in even the slightest bit, you would know that I have a very independent and free spirited personality. I like to prove that I can do things by myself without someone's help, but as I have recently realized, that is not the case when it comes to God. Just when you have things "figured out" according to your plan, that is when He steps in and shakes things up.
Being a year post-op, I was ready to score some goals and kick some butt. Although summer practices seemed to wear me out, I kept on pushing to run faster, harder, and stronger in order to make my senior soccer season the most successful one yet. Little did I know that God's plan did not correspond with mine. On August 12 during a scrimmage, I jumped in the air ready to take the ball out of the air and dribble to score. When I landed, my knee buckled and I thought my soccer season was already over once again. I felt betrayed, cheated, and angry at God and myself for allowing it to happen. The following Monday I got an MRI and found out that my ACL was only partially torn and I would recover in three weeks with intense rehab. I was content with that idea, and ready to do whatever it took to get back out on the field.
After three weeks of strengthening my knee once again I slid my stinky cleats on and warmed up with the team. After one week of practicing and getting used to my knee again, I was cleared to play and start shooting again. When my teammate passed me the ball to turn and shoot, I felt my knee tear in half. As you might have thought I was devastated and angry once again, you would have thought wrong. I felt an immediate peace fall over me when Erin came running out to help me. She not only heals bruised up athletes, but also my faith with God. Sitting on the bench with Erin and hearing her tell me that this is all God's plan gave me hope that everything was going to work out for the better. The first thing I said to her was "I don't know why or how this happened, but I know that God is going to use this in a way that will all make sense somehow." Although I may not know what he has planned for me, I believe it will all be for His Glory.
The point of this blog is to inform everyone that your life is not what YOU plan, it's what HE plans. In a moment of crisis, we seek refuge in things that will only empty us further. We as a body of Christ need to learn how to seek refuge in Him. When we learn how to do that, HIS plan will slowly become OUR plan. Thank you all for taking time to read this and experience my personal journey with Christ in times of trouble and chaos. Beauty is amidst the chaos and all you have to do is look to Jesus to find it.
Yesterday, a wise friend told me that life is like s train ride and on one side of the train is troubke/pain/sorrow/chaos BUT on the other side, at the same time!, is beauty/joy/love. Life brings us through both - at the same time. Where is our focus ? What window are we looking out? You are already so wise! There is beauty among the chaos. Prayers for your surgery and recovery. Laura Thomas
ReplyDeleteHello Ripley Haney. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. I am truly blessed by your blog post too. How true what you have said " There is a beauty among the chaos. It is also so true to seek refuse in Him so that His plan becomes ours. Your personal journey with the Lord Jesus Christ is very encouraging and strengthening. I hope you underwent surgery and have recovered fully. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 40 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. we would love to have you come with your friends to come to Mumbai to work with us during your vacation time. I am sure you will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. God's richest blessings on you, your family and friends also wishing you a blessed and a Christ centred rest of the year 2018. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede.
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