By: Rocky Angelette

Prearranged Plan

Acts 2:23  But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. 

After sharing today's verse with a friend, he told me that it reminded him of the song, "This" by Darius Rucker.  The following are lines of this inspiring song:  "Maybe it didn't turn out like I planned. Maybe that's why I'm such a lucky man. For every stoplight I didn't make, every chance I didn't take, I thank God for all I missed because it LED ME HERE TO THIS." 

 I explained to my friend that without a doubt it was definitely heart-wrenching for God to endure the poor decisions made by both the Jews and Romans that ultimately led to Jesus' death. However, God did not stop this tragic chain of events BECAUSE He had a prearranged plan for Jesus' life ... for our lives.  Although this plan did not initially unfold the way it should according to Jesus' followers, it WAS a plan that would eventually lead to our salvation. 

 As I reflected later on this conversation, I began to think about my life. For starters, I look at the place I'm now in as a result of some of the horrid decisions that I've made. A place where I can only wish that so many of my false steps could be undone ... a place where I can wonder about how many of the wonderful plans for my life were missed due to my rebellion.  

 BUT ... maybe, just maybe, some of the decisions that I would like to have an opportunity to make again, God allowed me to go through so that others could be saved through my testimony. 

 By no stretch of my imagination am I making any excuses for my past sins. However, I do believe that there is a recovering and restoration process that ONLY God gets the Glory for when we repent. Part of His plan IS to FIX what the world deems unfixable!

 My challenge to you today is to always remember that if it weren't for God's prearranged plans for Jesus, He would have never defeated death in order to give us life.  Realize that if we repent and submit our lives to God, He can transform our mistakes into opportunities to pour out His grace, mercy, and glory on those who are hurting.

 Dear Lord, You've taken a broken person like myself and have time and time again shown me that You have plans for me! I thank You so much for the mercy and the love that You bestow upon my life.