A Sense of God’s Order
- Cecil Taylor
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
"The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps." — Proverbs 16:9, NRSVUE
Andy Hollifield’s recent Man Cave post began with, “Have you ever had one of those days?” It reminded me of my friend, Kara, who would say, “Have you ever had one of those lives?” Clearly, Kara felt that no matter what she did, the outcome was likely to go all wrong. Certainly, that can be our experience. We may think we have everything planned out, then life happens.
Recently, my wife, Sara, and I completed a two-week vacation. I had planned how I would resume my ministry work, my volunteer work, my home duties, and so forth.
Then life happened, even before we made it home.
Halfway through a four-hour return flight, Sara experienced a medical emergency. We gratefully accepted the caring help to get her through that in-flight ordeal. Sara then spent five days in the hospital.
My plans for that first week back home scattered like paper sheets on a busy tarmac. I spent most of my days at the hospital and the rest of my time on rest and self-care. Now that Sara is back home, I’m still in a caregiver role as she gradually resumes normal activities.
OUR ROLE VS. GOD’S ROLE
I sometimes wonder if God is amused by our little plans. “Oh, you don’t know what’s about to happen! That plan is going to change.” But in truth, I believe God fulfills the role outlined in Proverbs 16:9. We may have a plan in mind, but God will direct us through the details, step by step.
My memory of this verse is that it reads, "God orders our steps.” I can’t find such a translation, but I like the imagery. It suggests that God helps us prioritize and sequence our actions in the proper order. I’m reminded of a wonderful poem by Howard Thurman from his book, Deep is the Hunger. The poem’s central section describes a longing for God’s orderliness in one’s life.
Thurman beautifully captures the struggle to prioritize what truly matters in his poem "I Need Thy Sense of Order" from Deep Is the Hunger:
The confusion of the details of living
Is sometimes overwhelming. — Howard Thurman, Deep Is the Hunger: Meditations for Apostles of Sensitiveness (Friends United Press, 1951).
As I reflect on this poem, I’m reminded of my past self-talk about how I needed to mature so that I was no longer self-defeating, no longer scrambled, no longer chasing the wrong things, no longer misaligned with God. I would say, “By the time I’m 30, I’ll have my act together.” That became, “By the time I’m 40.” That became... well, you see the pattern.
BECOMING UNSTOPPABLE
Perhaps I was missing the partnership aspect. I realize now how deeply God, through the Holy Spirit, desires to partner with us each day in all our plans. God doesn’t wink and laugh at our plans when they are aligned with noble intentions and holy ways. God wants to make them happen, allowing us the freedom to think and choose, then enabling us by directing our steps.
If everything is up to me, then I will be very stoppable. As the poem indicated, I’ll be befuddled, undisciplined, whiny, and ultimately bogged down and frustrated. With God’s help, my plans become unstoppable. I’m not saying you and I will achieve a 100% success rate. I’m saying God will lead us to a destination, perhaps in a different amount of time, perhaps along a different route, perhaps with a different, better result than we intended.
Kara’s disheartened phrase, “Have you ever had one of those lives?” can take on a joyous meaning—joyous because we arrive at a life full of God’s presence, giving us a sense of order as we design and execute our little plans.
Prayer: God, I need your sense of order. I get overwhelmed. I attempt tasks in the wrong sequence. I don’t believe that my plans can actually work. Be with me in all the details of planning and execution. Align my thoughts and desires with your noble, holy ways. Bless my efforts. But more than anything, be present with me. I desire you most of all. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you have an attitude of “Did you ever have one of those lives?”—a down-in-the-mouth attitude of disbelief, frustration, and sad inevitability? Do you sabotage your own efforts? Or do you simply need more discipline and guidance? Seek God’s wisdom in your plans through prayer, through other people inspired to speak to you, and through the passions planted within you.
"I Need Thy Sense of Order," from Deep Is the Hunger: Meditations for Apostles of Sensitiveness by Howard Thurman. Copyright © Howard Thurman. Used here as a brief excerpt for commentary.
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