Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.
~ Proverbs 16:3
The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
~ Proverbs 16:9
Have you ever heard the quote from Bobby Unser, “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet”? Well, I strongly believe this and have seen it unfold in the lives of many people. It is alway so exciting to watch God’s hand upon those who follow their calling. More recently, I’ve witnessed this play out in my husband, John’s life. This October we will celebrate thirty years of marriage. Although, he’s worked in corporate sales for thirty-one years the past eight years, he’s had his heart set on a new dream, a dream that is just now becoming a reality.
Let me take you to the beginning.
John has always loved the game of baseball, but after being blessed with two daughters, he quickly transitioned to the sport of softball. Coaching them through their T-ball and Little League years he learned the ins and outs of the game. His passion grew as he had the unique opportunity to coach their high school and travel ball teams. As our girls moved on to play at the collegiate level, we both faithfully attended games only to break each play down during our post-game dinners at their local pizza shop.
From the stands, we cheered on Lauren, our oldest, as her team clinched the Division III National Championship in her freshman year, and excitedly watched Sarah, our youngest, become an All-American collegiate player upon her Sophomore season.
John has worked diligently to finish his Bachelor’s degree, acquire his four star coaching degree and work toward coaching at the collegiate level. The last four years he coached at the University of Deleware, first as a volunteer then as an assistant all while finishing up his corporate career endeavors.
Then, the call came from Deleware’s Athletic Director……
“John, would you finish out the season as interim head coach?”
Mark Twain’s quote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why,” never rang more true.
My husband has figured out the “why”. I’ve watched him develop relationships with our daughters and all the girls he’s coached. He not only instructs and equips them on the field, but off the field, and he does it well. He makes a difference in their lives
Let me interrupt the story for a moment…..
While attending Bible study a year ago, Isaiah 43:18-19 came alive to me, and I felt God speaking this into my heart for John. I was so excited and had been waiting with much vigor to see all God would do.
Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
19 “Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19
Back to my story…
With much excitement and a little fear, John accepted the position.
One week after he assumed the head coach position, he resigned from his thirty-one year long career to fulfill his calling.
So now, we wait and pray for the next chapter. We know God has this in His hands and will unfold it at just the right time.
If I believe God is directing our paths, then…
…every moment is divinely orchestrated.
…every moment is strategic.
…every moment is God-directed.
God KNOWS the right way we should go. We should entrust our lives to Him. Commit our ways to Him and He will order our steps.
Are you trusting Him with your next step?
Sometimes God doesn’t act until we make the first move. Just as Joshua and the priests needed to put the sole of their feet into the waters of the Jordan, then God would part the way. (Joshua 3:13)
What step is God asking you to take? Take it and watch Him move.
On a fun note….
This quote is attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca, “Luck is what happens when Preparation and Opportunity meet.”
I don’t believe in Luck….but it is pretty interesting that it was quoted by a philosopher with the last name Seneca. Just sayin”
Journeying with Him,
Jessie