“Sometimes where we think we are to grow and flourish, God has a different plan for us. We may believe God has called us to a particular mission, task, or service, but in time, we learn He has another plan.”
–Katherine Pasour, author of Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle
Please help me welcome Katherine Pasour as my guest blogger today. (Her bio and new book I’m reading are below the post.) She’s a dear writer friend and author who’s sharing a message to brighten our day. Here’s Katherine:
A guest post by Katherine Pasour
I pulled up a baby tree today, its acorn still attached to its root. I love trees! Why would I end all chance of life for what could become a majestic oak tree in the future?
The tiny sprout sprang forth amongst my much beloved flowers. As much as I love trees, I don’t want them taking over my flower garden.
Sometimes where we think we are to grow and flourish, God has a different plan for us. We may believe God has called us to a particular mission, task, or service, but in time, we learn He has another plan.
Sometimes where we think we are to grow and flourish, God has a different plan for us. We may believe God has called us to a particular mission, task, or service, but in time, we learn He has another plan. Share on X
David planned to build a new temple
King David settled into his new palace and enjoyed the peace God granted him after years of battle. With a respite from war, David turned his thoughts to building a temple.
He said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” (2 Samuel 7:2 NIV*)
Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you.” (2 Samuel 7:3)
But God had a different plan.
God later spoke to Nathan, promising to continue to prosper David, but denying him the opportunity to build the temple. God destined that honor to David’s son, Solomon. David did not argue with Nathan or God over the matter. He accepted God’s plan. Moreover, he was humble in his agreement.
Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign LORD, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign LORD, is for a mere human!
2 Samuel 7:18-19
Although we may not have a prophet to intervene for us when what we thought was our purpose turns out not to be part of God’s plan, we have ways to be assured if we are following God’s will in our daily lives.
Check in with God
David had a prophet, Nathan, to be his intermediary to God, but we have someone better. We have Jesus. Our Savior is our direct link to the Father. And … Jesus sent us a Counselor to be our guide in all things.
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-18
We have our own personal advocate, sent by Jesus, who will always be with us—our guide in all our decisions. Perhaps the Holy Spirit clearly lets us know what direction to take or if we need to change our direction.
Or, we may be redirected in a more painful manner.
Several years ago, just after my retirement from my university position, an opportunity arose for me to fill in temporarily for an administrator who found other employment. Thrilled at this suggestion, I believed God had sent me this position because I was not happy in retirement. However, the President of the university had a different plan and I didn’t get the job. This part of God’s plan for my future was hard to accept and I felt the rejection deeply.
If we’re embarking on a decision or a project which we believe is God’s will—if we are planted where we belong, this likely will not mean that we are to be completely uprooted. But our Father may indicate we are to step back and let someone else take the lead. Or, we may be called to act as a mentor to a growing Christian, rather than taking the lead on a project. Even more challenging to accept, God may remind us that someone else is more suited to be planted in the path we thought was to be our direction.
Pray in all things
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
The big oak tree that shades my flowerbed is the same one that plants seeds underneath its towering branches. I cannot save all the sprouts that burst forth in the spring, but I remember the mother tree as a tiny sprout that I transplanted to that location forty years ago.
The cycle of life goes on, under the care of our loving Father. He has the plan for our planting.
Let us hear from you
Have you ever been “planted” in a surprising place or uprooted from one location to another? What kept you focused on God’s plan? Katherine and I are eager to hear from you.
* All verses are taken from the NIV.
Guest Blogger, Katherine Pasour
I’m reading an advance copy and improving my health as I read Katherine’s new book, Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle. It’s an easy, step-by-step study with very short daily lessons and a wealth of information. I highly recommend it.
You’ll enjoy discovering Katherine’s surprise occupation in her bio below. 🙂 Connect with her on her blog, or on social media.
Katherine Pasour is an author, teacher, farmer, and speaker with a passion for service. She blogs regularly at www.katherinepasour.com with a focus on faith, wellness, and the lessons nature teaches. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are God’s special creation, “fearfully and wonderfully made”, thus Katherine believes we should nurture all aspects of wellness in service to our Lord. She is a regular contributor to Refresh Bible Study Magazine, published by Lighthouse Bible Studies. Katherine has articles in several Bible Study compilations, Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character (2018); Feed Your Soul with the Word of God (2019); and The Power to Make a Difference (2019). Katherine’s wellness Bible study, Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle, published by Morgan James, releases October 4, 2022. You can connect with Katherine on Facebook and Instagram at KatherinePasourAuthor and Twitter @KatherinePasour.
Can’t tell you how much I needed this reminder this month. It’s been a continual lesson in God’s ways are not my ways. But I love the picture of the oak saplings—and David and the temple. Thanks for sharing them.
Elizabeth, it’s good to hear from you. I enjoyed Katherine’s post, too. I prayed for you as you meet these changes. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I needed this message, too! Isn’t it wonderful how God guides us to write messages that bring healing to us as we write and provides opportunity for us to reach out to others, too? Wishing you joy and blessings.
Thank you, Katherine, for the reassurance that God has our best interests at heart. We may not understand at the moment but we can know He is sovereign and knows what we need more than we do. Thanks, Jeannie, for hosting Katherine today.
Thank you, Barbara, for reminding us that our Lord is Sovereign. He knows what we need, even as we seek other things out of His will. He is faithful and will bring us back into the shelter of His love. Blessings!
Yes, Barbara, I agree. We can trust His sovereignty even when we don’t understand. I enjoyed Katherine’s words, too.
God’s detours are downright painful at times, while other times I’m pleasantly surprised. Whatever the case, when I look back, I see His GPS was perfect. Thank you, Katherine and Jeannie.
I love that, Annie–God’s GPS is perfect. Thanks so much for sharing.
Annie, thank you for acknowledging what all of us probably think–“God’s detours are downright painful at times, while other times I’m pleasantly surprised.” Thanks for adding His perfect GPS. I love that.
Thank you, Jeannie and Katherine, for the encouragement! I’ve been in situations of change that I believed were because of God’s direction and then realized later I was following my own desire rather than His. He plants, He waters, He tends — and sometimes He uproots. He does have a plan for our planting, just as you say.
Leigh, I love your analogy. Thank you for that picture. Isn’t it comforting to know that God knows best?
That happens to me, too, Leigh. I’ll be busy with some project or task that I’ve decided is God’s will (probably because I didn’t consult Him) and I learn that, “No” my plan wasn’t His plan. Thankfully, His correction is usually done with love (unless I’m particularly stubborn!). Happy Fall, Leigh!
What a great post, Katherine! So thought -provoking! It really hit home with me, and caused me to back up and see that everything I’m asked to do may not be what God wants for me.
Jeannie, thanks for having Katherine do this post just at this particular time.
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Evelyn. Aren’t we blessed that God most often corrects our path with gentle prodding? Of course, I’ve been known to be somewhat stubborn and His correction is more painful the more determined I am to continue in the wrong direction. I hope you’re enjoying this beautiful Fall sunshine, Evelyn.
Evelyn, I’m glad the post was a blessing to you, as it was to me. How kind of God to remind us of truth we know but sometimes forget. Katherine’s experiences strengthened by Scripture always comfort me. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Jeannie, thanks for sharing this. and Katherine, you always bless my heart. Sometimes your insight and wisdom bring me up short when I’m making no progress toward a desired goal, reminding me of exactly who sees the results of my goal and directs me in another path.
Peggy, your kind encouragement blesses me. Thank you! I’m so glad you shared your thoughts. Wishing you many blessings and I hope you’re enjoying the lovely Fall weather.
So enjoyed this post Ms. Katherine and Ms. Jeannie. I think the key to knowing God’s plan for us, and adapting to the changes that are sometimes needed, is maintaining our connection to God. Thank you both so much.
I agree, J.D., it’s vital for us to be in tandem with God. When I get out of step or veer off His path in a different direction, that’s when I get in trouble. Wishing you a blessed day and much joy.
Yes, my husband and I have been uprooted numerous times. We thought we would always live in one area, only to learn that God had other plans. We thought Virginia would be our forever home. God’s plans are definitely better than ours. We are thankful God moved us to South Carolina. 🙂
It’s wonderful that you found joy and happiness in both places. Being in God’s will and following His guidance brought blessings. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Happy Fall, Mellisa!
Beautiful post, ladies! I’m a tree hugger, but sometimes I have to accept they are not meant to be.
I love trees, too, Candyce. Katherine’s post helps us all understand and embrace changes, doesn’t it?
This is a great post that we can all identify with from time to time.
My life has held some unexpected twists and turns, some welcomed and some not at all welcomed. For certain, we can count on God to see us through change and uncertain times and He never changes. Often we ultimately see that His plan and His answers are better than we could have orchestrated for ourselves.
Connie, I love this observation you made: “Often we ultimately see that His plan and His answers are better than we could have orchestrated for ourselves.” That’s true, and as mentioned, God never changes. We can trust Him whether we see evidence of His plan or not. Thanks so much for adding your thoughts.