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NewsDay

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Blocked way but open destination

Columnists
PRESCIENT planning helps realise goals through a predetermined route.

PRESCIENT planning helps realise goals through a predetermined route.

All things being equal, the set system will yield desired result. However, life teaches that planning may fail with all the scheming falling apart.

With all due care and diligence in execution of a plan, things can still fall off track. After all testing has been done in the laboratory and trials run, the unforeseen can still happen.

Supported by intense prayer, fasting, sowing, decrees and declaration, the intended result can still elude. When such an eventuality happens, there should be enough will power to see the journey to the end. The problem is not falling off orbit, but throwing in the towel because of failure of a long mooted plan. When the unexpected happens, embrace the unexpected to get expected results.

Those that have walked with God for considerable period of time know that with God it counts more to head towards the right direction than it does for the mode of transport used.

It may not be so much important as the quality of the place where Jesus would be born, but that a Messiah and Saviour was born into the world. A manger was thus sufficient to accomplish the purpose. The Gospel may, therefore, not be transmitted in the best of the ways, but still reaches the uttermost parts of the world.

This, of course, is not a coercion to settle for mediocrity, but to accept the means God chooses. While you enjoy the means and method, lose not your focus on the destination.

On a balance of scale, arrival fares above travelling. Travelling in economy class and arriving is better and carries more value than travelling in first class and not arriving.

Sometimes we so much focus on preferred mode while God is concerned on you and His purpose for and with you. The Bible in the book of Acts records the story where Apostle Paul was shipwrecked on sail to Rome.

Although the ship was destroyed, he and others on the ship got to their destination. Part of the story reads in Acts 27:21 to 22: “But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: For there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.”

Acts 27:44 reads: “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.”

The mode of transport was destroyed, but not the journey. The eye of the Lord is always upon you to accomplish your dream.

However meticulously you can structure your life, you can miss your wish. Always leave room to get to the destination through a detour. Don’t cry over a blocked familiar way, but celebrate the variety of God’s choices.

Praying couple

Eyes may be so much fixed on a certain route without flexibility for progressive change. It’s good to be focused and determined, and observe principles along the way, but life may require you to change course but still heading to the same destination.

You may miss out on your desired school, college and university, but still get your doctorate. Some have naively surrendered and given up their destiny because they couldn’t get what they prayed and fasted for years. You don’t have to be stiff-necked.

Flexibility allows sailing on the voyage of life joyfully. Being open to new and alternative ways should not be excuse to stroll life aimless without sticking to anything. Go out there with your blueprint, but don’t let it be your undoing.

It’s always tempting to park the vehicle of your life if your dreams are shattered. Failure of plan A is not a signal to abandon life.

You never know, the real deal may be in plan B. You may not afford your preferred dish, get the nutrients in an affordable one. The principle of not accepting no for an answer is good but don’t let it deprive you of the waiting reward.

I subscribe to excellence, but I don’t sacrifice my prize for perfectionism.

The merciful, gracious and forgiving God always avails a second chance. When mankind fell in the garden of Eden, God provided for reunification through Jesus.

He didn’t close the door forever because mankind had betrayed Him on His original intent. Are you stuck because what you wanted didn’t work? The way may be blocked, but the destination is open. Look around and opt for the yawning wide open second door.

You are going somewhere.

All Scripture quotations are from the King Jame Version of the Bible

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