What If...

Today is the evening before my 51st birthday. I sometimes wonder how I got to where I am in life right now. What if I had chosen a different path? A different career? Would my life be so different? Then I realize that God's plan was that I would be right where I am now, so none of that wondering matters. It never would have happened. I am convinced that God has a plan for us from the day we are born. His divine plan was always for me to be a deacon. Was always for me to touch people with his word through my preaching. Here is how I am sure:
 
I was dating my wife and had been visiting her and her parents one evening. She had gone to bed and I stayed with her mom and dad watching a television show until it was complete. When I left, it was rather late. As I drove home, I guess my mind started to wander and, as I sped along the Long Island Expressway, I did not notice the car that was stopped in the right hand lane, which I was traveling in. When I did come to my senses, I swerved right, off of the road and onto the shoulder, around the car and back onto the expressway. I did not even think, I just swerved. There could have been a wall, or overpass there, but there was not. I could have hit the car, but I did not. God saved me that night because he needed me here now.

Years later, with my wife and child in the car, I had a similar experience as traffic ahead of us was at a stand still. My wife called out my name and again, without thinking, I just swerved  left into the other lane of traffic. Again God kept me, and my family this time, safe. There was no car next to us. If there was I would not have seen it and it would have been a terrible accident.

I am sure others have had similar experiences, but I can only believe that God always has a plan. We may not recognize it. We may not like it. But we live it.
Just as on that first Easter, God's plan was to end the grasp of death for us through the resurrection, there is always a glorification awaiting us. Some may be greater than others, but they await us. So never despair. Never give up hope. Never stop loving. Never stop being kind and compassionate. For the glory awaits us all.

Happy Easter.