“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” ― Proverbs 16:1-9, with emphasis on verse 9.
During my nonprofit ownership days, navigating the world of grant writing was challenging and hierarchical based on my organization’s size. We were always at the bottom of the list for contribution considerations. Larger nonprofits scooped up the best grants as soon as the pool of donors announced that the grant season was open. In fact, the larger nonprofits seemed to be preferred for the greatest impact in regard to community awareness, reach, and enrollment.
However, this didn’t bother me at all. I knew that our program was good for the community. Maybe one of the best for its size. So, I really didn’t mind writing grants. And, it proved to be successful, because for 19 years regardless of the amount we received, God was faithful. We always had enough.
What I dreaded most of all were the rejection letters. It took a few years to get used to them. Over time, a letter of rejection soon became an ally that sharpened my focus, deepened my resolve, and taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and adaptability. Through it all, I realized that these experiences resembled everyday living. It showed me that a “no” isn’t necessarily the end of the story. Sometimes a “no” is God’s way of redirecting to a revised story.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In His sovereignty, He may allow a door to close in order to reveal a path that’s different or even better. The revised direction may not look like the pathway that we originally chose, but the journey certainly trains us in the ways of God and directs us to pursue His purpose and His plan.
In grant writing, it’s true that receiving smaller contributions may require spending reductions, but in my case, it never felt like a setback. And on occasions, the streamline approach protected me from getting buried over my head. Every task felt within reach and achievable.
God knew that receiving too much too soon could trip me up. His timing is important. At that point in my life, serving at a larger capacity may have given me a false sense of pride. Thankfully, He knows what’s best.
Through the redirections, I witnessed a loving Father gently guiding me back to His path. It was going to look like obedience and 19 years of persistence. His perseverance kept me safe during the testing of the pandemic.
Many times, His inaudible “no” really meant for me to obey Him― to trust― and to follow His leadership. Initially, these obstacles caused me to ask, why is this happening? But the question I should have asked is are my plans in agreement with God’s plan.
Proverbs 16 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. The Lord works out everything to its proper end…” verse 3-4. “The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” verse 9.
Strong’s Concordance definition of commit is “to roll” or “roll away.” When something like a ball, for example, is rolled on the ground the surface will resist the motion. In some cases where the ball doesn’t reach its intended target it will either come to a stop, drifts off the path, or slow down.
That’s the way it is in life. Your God-given journey will be disrupted at times by people or problems. When this happens, pause and take an assessment of the situation. Remember that God is immutable, meaning He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His nature, character, and word will remain consistent. So, before you start drifting from His plan, ask yourself, am I prioritizing my interests and desires above God’s? Have my instructions from God changed, or am I trying to control the outcome? If the answer is yes, these motives may certainly make you look good or even achieve more, but they may not be good from God’s perspective.
Proverbs 16:2 (MSG) says, “Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.”
God probes for what is true, honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. Adopting His view indicates that we love Him and desire His plan.
However, it may require a daily and critical investigation of our heart. It may require that we read His word. For instance, in the Bible, the Church of Philadelphia provides ways to minimize being redirected away from God’s plan.
Revelation 3:8,10 reads, “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough… Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.”
Does this mean that following God may sometimes include trials? Yes, sometimes it may. God has never promised a life free of trials. Yet, the Philadelphians remained steadfast, providing us a powerful example to follow. They showed us how to function in whatever strength we have in the Lord, to keep God’s word of patient endurance, and not to deny His name.
Commentaries indicate that the door is symbolically opened to the Kingdom of God and is the believer’s reward for doing a job well done. Not only is it open, no one can close the door shut. It is the entrance into eternity for the believers that followed God’s commands and didn’t deny His name. It is the gateway to our final destination.
With this great reward ahead, let us trust in His promises as we navigate difficult times in faith. Stay the course. Call upon the name of the Lord who saves when times get tough, and like the Philadelphians, may your commitment in Jesus Christ redirect you towards a new home in God’s Kingdom.
Brenette Wilder, formerly of Altheimer, Ark., is a blogger at wordstoinspire105953116.wordpress.com and author of Netted Together, https://nettedtogether.org.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@pbcommercial.com or shope@adgnewsroom.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry. Writers should have a connection to Southeast Arkansas.