Accept the Fact

“The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:1, RecVer)

The Lord has been teaching me an important lesson on His sovereignty these days. As the gospel preaching was planned in the city of Gurugram with the coordination of the trainees and the saints in the church life, I really wanted to participate in it. But when the plan was first proposed and brought to fellowship, I already had my schedule fixed for the ministry literature journey. I could not change my plan. But still I decided to join the gospel preaching after coming back. As a matter of fact, I even signed a consecration sheet to join the gospel preaching on the afternoons and the evening sessions of the last two weeks as I would already miss the first week. That was the plan that belonged to me.

When I came back from the ministry literature journey, I was very tired and fell ill. I took rest for the whole day and my official works were pending. I could not join the gospel preaching as I planned. In addition, I need to finish urgent official works and submitted the yearly budget. For that, I need to look into the financial need of all the serving ones along with the next year plan for translation, printing, and distribution of the ministry literature. And I also need to sit together with my coordinating brother to go through all the minute points which we did and finally submitted the budget. Right after this, other host of pending works made me busy again. Then, the second week was over. Though I could help the saints in driving them to the gospel preaching venue, I myself could not participate with them. The plan that belonged to me did not work again.

In the final third week, I thought I could join, but then I was tied up with my official duty fully on Monday. I thought, at least, by Tuesday I could join, but there was the sudden demise of a brother in the church in New Delhi. Therefore, I need to attend the funeral. So the whole day was gone. The following Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, similar official works crept in and I just could not find the time at all. I cannot leave my official duty and go for gospel preaching. Though I was able to join on Saturdays as I usually do, other weekdays, though I planned it, it just did not work out. I had no way but to simply accept the fact of the situation I was in. Even the third week was gone. I had my plan, just that it didn't work out.

Some brothers might feel something about me not joining the gospel preaching this time, but the fact was that I just could not make it. I did not want to justify myself either. Unavoidable circumstances did not allow me. Besides, I also felt other brothers can take the responsibility in all practical matters related to the gospel preaching. In the past, whenever I was there, somehow, like it or not, some chunk of responsibility I always bore. This time, I believe it is the Lord’s arrangement for other brothers to bear the same burden. As for me, I will just join them on the weekends. I simply have to accept the fact. And that's the Lord’s sovereign arrangement. 

“The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.” (Proverbs 16:1, RecVer)