When God Says “No” to Plan B
Have you ever reached for your backup plan before seeking God's direction? I certainly have. It's a struggle as old as faith itself, and we see it vividly illustrated in the lives of the patriarchs.
When famine struck Canaan, Abraham, the father of faith, immediately packed for Egypt. No prayer. No seeking God's counsel. Just a practical solution to a pressing problem: "And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land" (Genesis 12:10).
Egypt, with its Nile-watered fields and abundant storehouses, represented a visible solution. But Abraham's self-directed detour led to compromise. Fearing for his life, he instructed Sarah: "Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee" (Genesis 12:13).
Finding Direction in the Game of Life
Have you ever heard of the game of bowls? I hadn't heard of it until we moved to the UK, but it's very popular here, and Jason has taken quite a liking to it. Let me explain for those of you who are still in the dark about what bowls is. The game of bowls is a blend of bowling and horseshoes. You roll your balls (called bowls) on a mat towards a smaller ball (called the jack) and try to get as close to it as possible. It's a simple concept, but it can be surprisingly challenging.
Jason has been playing bowls with a local team for about a year now and really enjoys it. Not only does he get to participate in a game he loves, but he also gets to minister to others in the group each week. It's a win-win situation!