“ That wasn’t supposed to happen” Rev. Samuel Robles Jr., M.Div. August 9, 2009 Inspired by an article written by Jesse Carey, “ When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned ”

Reflection Questions Have you ever experienced a time when things in your life weren’t going as planned? Or perhaps they weren’t going as they were supposed to? Ever experienced a time in your life when you felt that you didn’t have control of the outcome?

Have you ever experienced a time when things in your life weren’t going as planned?

Or perhaps they weren’t going as they were supposed to?

Ever experienced a time in your life when you felt that you didn’t have control of the outcome?

Let’s look at a couple of examples in the Bible of plans that were “supposed to” happen

Exodus 6: 5-8

The Exodus God promised deliverance! After they were freed from slavery, the Israelites thought they were just going to walk right in to the Promised Land. But what happened? Deuteronomy 8: 1-5

God promised deliverance!

After they were freed from slavery, the Israelites thought they were just going to walk right in to the Promised Land.

But what happened?

Deuteronomy 8: 1-5

Luke 1: 26-29

Mary and Joseph They thought they were going to get married, have children, and lead a normal life. But what happened? Luke 1: 30-38

They thought they were going to get married, have children, and lead a normal life.

But what happened?

Luke 1: 30-38

Why does this happen? Just like the characters in these stories, we don’t understand many times why our plans have to change, especially drastically. But God is concerned with the final outcome! What we go through is temporary, but the results will last forever.

Just like the characters in these stories, we don’t understand many times why our plans have to change, especially drastically.

But God is concerned with the final outcome!

What we go through is temporary, but the results will last forever.

Why does this happen? The Israelites eventually entered the promised land! Mary and Joseph raised Jesus, our Lord and Savior! We need to change our attitudes from “my plans” to “God’s plans.” Plans may change, but God is still there!

The Israelites eventually entered the promised land!

Mary and Joseph raised Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

We need to change our attitudes from “my plans” to “God’s plans.”

Plans may change, but God is still there!