“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’” (Acts 15:16–18)
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the LORD: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind.” (Ezekiel 11:5)
Each morning I wake up with a plan in my mind. The diary is full, meetings are planned, tasks are lined up and prioritised. As the day starts things begin to crumble, as the unexpected begins. Little emergencies and emails. A month or so back I was shocked when I discovered that in my almost ten years in these parishes I had sent and received a third of a million emails! No wonder when I now plan my day, the words “it depends” are often in my mind.
And then there are people who, being people, often have mixed motives. Nothing unusual in that, of course, but you learn that there is a great difference between what are known as “presenting issues” and underlying issues. Both are important, and there is often more behind someone’s initial complaint. One of the key skills in the medical profession is diagnosis, getting to the heart of what is really going on.
So the days roll on with unexpected interruptions and issues which are more complex than they seem at first glance. No wonder we are often bewildered!
In sharp contrast, these two quotes bear witness to the certainty of God. “I will return”. “I know the things which come into your mind”. Whereas our plans are often contingent on other things, and less than certain, not so with the Almighty. What God says will occur, will occur. Yes, from our perspective patience is often needed, but that does not diminish the certainty. He does not get derailed by events.
