I’m currently sitting in a room stuffed with people who have been summoned for jury duty. It’s not what I had planned to do today. Late last night I checked the website expecting another “standby” notice, but instead I was told to report to the courthouse at 7:30am.

I had to cancel a couple of things and contact a few people. My husband and I had to rearrange our schedules to manage things like dog walking, grocery shopping, and a contractor visit. Then I had to scan my calendar for future events that might need to be changed if I were to be selected for a jury, depending on the length of the case.

Life is unpredictable. It often happens that I roll along for days, weeks, or even months feeling like I have a solid routine. Nothing changes. I make plans. I schedule events well into the future which feels certain. The days appear on my calendar so they will surely come to pass. The sun will rise again tomorrow. Won’t it?

“Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.” (Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭21,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

Tomorrow will only come for me if God wants it to come. Only He knows what shape the future will take.

It’s fine to make plans. But the second I think anything in my life is more sturdy or predictable than God’s will, I am in treacherous waters. If I decide my goals are more pressing than God’s plan for my day, He might just shake things up for me. Maybe send me to a courthouse on the other side of town filled with strangers waiting to do their civic duty.

Dear God, thank you for reminding me that your plans take precedent over mine, no matter how important mine may seem. Your will cannot be thwarted. Thankfully it is good, pleasing, and perfect.