By the time I was in the tenth grade I had it all planned out…the perfect college, the perfect degree…and I knew exactly how I would get there. I would buckle down, focus on school, take challenging courses, and get almost perfect grades. I figured that if I worked hard enough…if I did all the right things, I would for sure make it to the place that I was trying to go, right? The only problem is that my whole plan was solely dependent on me– my decisions, my determination, my drive. I didn’t take into account the many external forces that would come into play.
Right before my senior year of high school, my dad got a job offer out of state. It was an offer that was too good to pass up, so he accepted. It was great news…just not for me, and not for my plan. I mean, here I was, right on track. I was in all the right classes. I had amazing grades. But now, I would have to pay triple the college tuition because I was now considered an out-of-state student. How could I go from being an in-state student to an out-of-state student in less than a year? This was so frustrating for me. But did I give up? No. I decided to apply to my dream school anyway, and I was accepted. I was overjoyed. I felt like I was right on target to reach my goals, but the only thing was that I still needed to figure out how I was going to pay for it. I did some research and found out that the school had a program that would allow me to become an in-state student after just one year. The catch was that I would have to spend my freshman year of college abroad, in a country that I had never been to before. Now…this was a big deal for me. I am not a particularly outgoing person. I am not a risk taker. So, the thought of going to school away from my family and friends, the thought of being immersed into a new culture, the thought of being alone…was a little scary. But did I let that stop me from reaching my goals? No. I was determined to do whatever I had to do to make sure that the vision that I had for my life came to pass. I made the decision to go to school out of the country for a year. I was so excited for my journey, and even more excited that I was headed towards my dream. The only thing was that there were still some external forces that I didn't see coming.
I went through the whole process of preparing to leave for college in the fall. I filled out all the necessary paperwork. I got all the required vaccinations. I applied for my passport months in advance. I just knew that everything would work out, but by the end of the summer I still hadn’t received my passport. That year, the passports were backed up. A process that normally took no longer than two months almost doubled…and there was nothing that I could do about it. I was forced to withdraw from my classes, and I had to find another way to afford my dream school. From there, I decided that I would move back in-state and work to regain residency on my own, but this would not be easy. I was only seventeen at the time, so I was still considered a dependent for tuition purposes. The only way that I could regain residency was to work for a year, without going to school. The school told me that this was the only way that I could provide documentation proving that I was independent from my parent’s household. So this is what I did, but there were so many twists and turns along the way…so many unexpected circumstances. To shorten an already long story…I never accomplished “my dream.” I never saw “my plan” come to fruition.
So, why share all of that? Why tell you this long story, only to reveal that nothing worked out as I planned? Well…that’s kind of the point. I went out of my way trying to pursue my dream…trying to do something that I thought I was meant to do. And maybe my story sounds a little dramatic or even crazy. But, this is what it looks like when we’re trying to do something that God never intended us to do. I’m not saying that we won’t face resistance when we’re in the will of God, and I’m not saying that everything will be easy. But, I am saying that I was so laser focused on my plan, that I didn’t even stop to question whether or not it was His plan for my life.
Our plan is not the same as His plan.
How can I say this so confidently? Because He says that His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts. In fact, His thoughts are so much higher than ours. And because He thinks higher, His plans are higher.
There is no way that our finite minds can plan anything similar to what our infinite God has planned for us.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT)
At every turn, there was a closed door. I tried and tried and tried, and nothing worked out. But what I didn’t understand is that He had something completely different in store for my life. All I felt was frustration, but what I didn’t recognize was that every closed door was His grace guiding me to the plan that He has for me.
Maybe you’re reading this, and you’ve experienced your share of closed doors. Maybe you’re reading this, and you’re facing a closed door right now. If so, consider that those closed doors may be God’s grace leading you towards purpose. Consider that He has something in store for you that you haven’t even thought of yet…something that is more beautiful than you can imagine.
My journey of not going to my dream school is just one example of the many closed doors that I’ve faced in my life. But I have realized that every closed door was purposeful. Every closed door led me closer to the will that God has for me. I am living a story that’s more beautiful than one that I could have written for myself. And it’s because He took all my disappointments, all my mistakes, all my shortcomings, and turned them into purpose.
Closed doors lead us to open doors.
Take a moment…and imagine that you are walking in a tunnel, with open doors all around you. You see a door that you want to go through, but the door is shut before you can get there. Then imagine you see another door that interests you, so you decide that you will walk through that door, but the door is shut before you can get there. Then imagine this happens again, and again, and again, and again…to the point of disappointment…to the point that you want to give up. Then, imagine that while you are still in this tunnel, disappointed and discouraged, you see another open door. One that’s always been there, but one that you’ve never seen before…one that is far better than all the other doors you tried to walk through in the past.
This…is an illustration of how the grace of God works in our lives. He has an open door for us…a door that includes the purpose that we were created for…a door that includes a life that is more fulfilling than any life we could create for ourselves. But, the only problem is that we have so many other open doors surrounding us. We have so many opportunities that line up with our desires…so many other options that are intriguing. So, what does God do? In His grace, He closes every door that distracts us, every door that threatens to take us further from His will, every door that prevents us from seeing the open door that He has set before us.
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:8 NKJV)
God has set before you an open door.
I know it may not seem like it. I know it looks like all you’re surrounded by is closed doors, but I want you to know that those closed doors are leading you towards the open door that He has for you. He has a plan for you that was declared before you were ever born. A plan that’s greater than your wildest dreams…one that will fulfill every desire that He planted inside of you. He’s leading you there now. He’s removing every distraction, everything that draws you away from Him. He is your Shepherd…whether the situation looks good or bad, know that He is leading you to a place of purpose, a place of peace, the place where your life will glorify Him.
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalms 23:1-4 NLT)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your never ending grace. Thank you for never giving up on me, and for leading me towards the plan that you have for my life. Today, I have been reminded that you have a unique plan for me. I have been reminded that your plan is much greater than any plan that I have for myself. And Father, I have been reminded that every disappointment and every closed door that I face, is your grace leading me towards the plan that you have for me. I have decided that, more than anything, I want to see your will done in my life. And today, I am making the decision to lay down my plans, so that I can walk according to yours. I know that you are leading me, and I declare that I will follow you. I will look to you for direction. I will seek your face when I’m discouraged. And I will lean into you when I am disappointed. By faith, I will see everything that you have for me. I will never give up. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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