Daniel 6:25-28
History is the grand unfolding of
God’s plan—a plan begun the moment humanity sinned, a plan put into motion
through the life of Abraham to redeem the broken world, to bring blessing to
all of humanity.
Besides God’s grand plan of
redemption for humanity and earth, God also has a plan for our lives—hopes and
dreams of what we might be able to do. And, these plans will not be stopped.
Today’s reading from Daniel is
the end of the “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” story. This story reveals that God
had a plan for Daniel’s life, and nothing would stop it.
How many of you have heard this
line: “God has a plan for your life!”? This is true, but it’s not true how some
(too many) think it’s true. God’s plan for us is broad, wide, open—space for
our freedom. We do not live narrowly scripted lives in which every thought and
action is defined and determined. If so, free will is a lie and our “choice” to
live lives of loving kindness is an illusion. God’s plan for our lives is broad
and open and gives us a chance to live free and express creativity. Best of
all, God’s plan will not be stopped.
The Babylonian home team wanted
to stop the plan of Daniel’s life. But, they could not.
Paul, in Acts 23 as he recounts
the story of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, relates Jesus’
words: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight
against my will” (v.14). Paul could not stop the unfolding of God’s plan for
the Church or God’s plan for his own life.
The Romans crucified Jesus—the
Jewish leaders were sure this would put a stop of Jesus and his message. Put a
stop to God’s plan of forgiveness and redemption? No, they could not stop God’s
plan.
So, God does have a plan for your
life—a life to the full, as John reminds us (John 10:10; a life of joy and
gratitude, as Paul points out (1 Thess. 5:16-18); a life of purpose and
direction, as the prophet reminds us (Jeremiah 29:11).
Jesus was the great
“reductionist.” “You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as
yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” The
whole of the Old Testament is reduced to a few lines. I, too, stive to be a
reductionist, and I’ve reduced God’s plan to this: “Live a life of joy and help
others to do the same.” It’s simplistic, but it’s a starting point for me that
guides me generally day to day.
God has a plan for our lives—for
yours and for mine. For a few, there will be specific tasks, but for the most
part, our lives are planned in broad strokes: Life to the full, joy and
gratitude, purpose and direction. You
and I have a choice—to live into the plan and enjoy the life that God dreams
for you and for me, or to reject—stall, delay, ignore—the plan and live lives
of frustration, or—as Thoreau put it—“lives of quiet desperation.”
Decide today to live into God’s
plan for you, for me, for us. Live lives of joy and bring joy to others. And,
as Thanksgiving is upon us, let us give thanks that we seek and serve a God who
cares enough to have loving plans for us and our world. Amen.
Sunday,
November 24, 2024
“Old Stories-New Life: God’s Plan”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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