God's Unexpected Providence

Few of us can say we were planning on the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting lockdowns of 2020. Let’s be honest—the coronavirus pandemic was unexpected. I know I speak for most when I say we weren’t planning on the heightened health protocols and stay-at-home orders that ensued.

One of the consequences many encountered in the months of the pandemic was closed churches. Instead of the regular Sunday morning family outing to our local parish, we grew accustomed to the intimate setting of our family room huddled over Scripture in prayer and song. Over the course of 2020, we worked through the seasons of Superbook and the accompanying Bible passages. This closeknit environment proved to be pivotal in our kids’ faith journeys. The hours spent in Scripture after each episode allowed my wife and me to respond deliberately to each of their questions and concerns. Over the course of what turned out to be several months of stay-at-home Sunday fellowship, each prayed to invite Jesus into their heart as their personal Savior. The unexpected events of 2020 turned into a watershed experience as God guided us deeper into our faith.

God’s providence often manifests in unforeseen ways. Consider the example of the Apostle Paul and his companions who planned to spread God’s Word in Asia. Yet, God had other plans. Chapter 16 of the book of Acts depicts God intervening in their ministry arrangements, indeed, it says, the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. (Acts 16:6) They wanted earnestly to share the Gospel in one place, but God disclosed His greater purpose. Although He closed one door, He quickly opened another, guiding them into an immense harvest in Macedonia. In the region’s leading city, Philippi, they met Lydia, who believed in Jesus as her Savior together with her whole family. After she and her household were baptized (v. 15), Lydia started a small house fellowship which became the first biblical account of the Christian church in the Western world.

In Proverbs, Solomon, Israel’s wisest king, wrote:

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. (Proverbs 19:21)

Despite our loftiest plans, God has something even bigger in store. Life’s unexpected twists and turns are often the moments of deepest personal growth. A detour along your route may lead to a surprising opportunity down a road you never intended to venture. One closed door has the potential to unlock another unforeseen and more rewarding one. Indeed, along that unpredicted road or behind that unanticipated door you will find God’s purposes prevailing in your midst.

Lord, guide me according to Your purposes that I may encounter fresh avenues of faith and new horizons of harvest. Grant me the assurance, that although one road or door is closing before me, another, far better one is opening somewhere else.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.