“Man plans, and God laughs,” an old Yiddish proverb says. Despite our most careful planning, the road of life is unpredictable. We might have a destination clearly in mind and a route mapped, but scenic outlooks distract us or unforeseen roadblocks deter us. We may start college wanting to be a teacher but discover we love the challenges of business and economics. We may want with all our heart to move to the big city, but we are turned down for every job in the area that we apply for. We may feel called to a career in the arts, but can’t seem to make a living wage at what we love to do.
As we seek to discern God’s will for us, we may find that the path before us is not nearly as smooth and clear as we had imagined. One might think that if one is living in God’s will and desire, then all will be well in their lives.... no roadblocks, no detours, no long nights lost in a dark city, no setbacks, no hardships. But the fact of the matter is that ‘stuff’ happens to everyone...
